Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s cabinet voted unanimously on Monday to sign a new host sponsorship agreement with the Ironman Wales organisers to secure the sporting event for the county until 2021.

The triathlon which has also been rebranded as Ironman Wales Pembrokeshire/Ironman Cymru Sir Benfro, is said to contribute £3.7M annually to the local economy.

PCC will put forward a contribution of £29,000 for this year’s event, whilst Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority will make a £16,000 contribution to the £50,000 sum.

Tenby Town Council has also agreed to commit a sum of £5,000 contribution for the first year as well.

Cabinet member for economy, tourism, leisure and culture, Paul Miller said that the event was a ‘fantastic showcase for Pembrokeshire as a destination’.“Hosting events such as Ironman help raise the profile of Pembrokeshire and in this case Tenby in particular, both across the UK and internationally. “With tourism playing a key role in the local economy, ensuring Pembrokeshire as a destination continues to reach new and wider audiences is critical in building on visitor numbers and on tourism spend.“I firmly believe the Council should be active in supporting the local economy and providing funding to enable events such as this is just one of many ways in which we intend to provide that support now and in future,” he added.Council leader David Simpson said that it was a ‘wonderful achievement’ to have brought the event to the county in the first place as it put Pembrokeshire on the map all over the world.