£54m for tourism, jobs and heritage in rural Wales

Carmarthenshire has secured over £8m in Rural Development Plan funding

More than £54m in funding has been allocated to projects to help create jobs, improve services and regenerate communities in rural Wales.

EU and assembly government cash goes to 79 projects ranging from support for farming families to renovation projects including a castle and manor house.

Powys receives the largest single grant to develop and promote tourism.

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said the project ideas had come from groups within the communities.

Carmarthenshire has secured the largest share of the funding with over £8m going to seven different projects.

Just under £1m, supported by match funding, will go to help 25 family farms maintain and increase their income.

One-off capital grants will be available to help them diversify into non-agricultural activities, convert redundant buildings and purchase equipment.

Another scheme in the county aims to support and encourage small businesses, encourage young people into business and address a shortage in office and industrial accommodation.

The largest single award is £2.1m towards developing green tourism in Powys.

The money is being made available through a joint Welsh Assembly Government and European Union strategy.

Between 2007 and 2013 £795m will be spent in Wales.

Elin Jones said: "Many of the projects will help to support rural economies as Wales continues to feel the effects of the worldwide recession and the UK government spending review."