Richard Burton Trail website launched

The Richard Burton Trail takes visitors from the actor's birthplace to the neighbouring village of Oakwood

The birthplace of Hollywood legend Richard Burton is hoping to boost tourism with the launch of a website promoting some of his local haunts.

The Richard Burton Trail is a three mile (4.8km) walk around the villages of Pontrhydyfen and Oakwood, surrounded by the Afan Forest Park.

The site also includes interviews with Burton's friends and family.

Neath Port Talbot council hopes it will bring in the late star's fans from around the world.

The trail starts at Burton's birthplace in Pontrhydyfen.

Visitors can then listen to the Oscar-nominated star quote a passage from Under Milk Wood, the play by his favourite poet Dylan Thomas.

Signposts with facts about Burton's childhood and career are placed along the trail.

'Well remembered'

Council leader Ali Thomas said the site was very popular in the Afan Forest Park and has already attracted hundreds of visitors.

Former wife Elizabeth Taylor visited Burton's family in Pontrhydyfen after his death in 1984

Miner's son Burton was born in 1925 and brought up by his elder sister in Port Talbot after his mother's death.

His Hollywood career saw him nominated for six best actor Oscars.

"Richard Burton is still well remembered in the local community and has a large fan base all around the world," said Mr Thomas.

"The dedicated web page will promote the trail and the area to Richard Burton fans more effectively."

The trail was created by the council's tourism section with help from the Cwmavon Residents Action Group, Forestry Commission Wales and the Richard Burton Advisory Group at Swansea University.

It is hoped the trail will be extended to Taibach, where the star went to school.