National Planetarium of Wales 'to blow people's minds'

A national planetarium for Wales could be built in the Rhondda valley, under plans being drawn up for an education and tourism attraction.

Although at an early stage, those behind the Dark Skies project hope to create 64 jobs near Maerdy by 2019.

The planetarium, one of Europe's biggest, would be built on old colliery land at Castell Nos along the pit road.

As well as a 350-seat auditorium, there would be an education centre, with simulators of the Mars rover, a cafe and an observatory.

Allan Trow, manager with Dark Sky Wales, said a feasibility study will firm up the plans, which hopes to attract 400,000 visitors a year.

BBC Wales' Nick Palit spoke to him about why the site was the perfect location, before speaking to a local resident about the benefits it could bring to the area.