Tenby and its surrounding area has been designated as a Tourism Growth Area by the Wales Tourist Board (WTB), it was revealed this week.

The designation for Tenby and a six-mile radius around the resort brings with it a £1 million grant allocation over the next six years for approved private and public sector schemes, members of Tenby Town Council were told on Tuesday night.

The total spend could be 'considerably more' with both additional private and public sector investment.

The bid was submitted by a partnership including Pembrokeshire County Council, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the Welsh Development Agency and the local community, initially through Tenby 2020.

"Although a great deal of work has already been devoted to the development of a programme of realisable projects," Erica Fielding, of the county council, and Nigel Adams, of the WTB, wrote in a letter to the town council.

"This is an opportunity to test and redefine the vision, ensuring that the Tenby area is placed in the best possible position to achieve its significant potential through innovation, partnership, a quality product and image and best practice."

To make the most of this opportunity, consultants 'The Tourism Company' had been commissioned to prepare an Action Plan for the implementation of a six-year development programme "to develop the full potential of the Tenby area as a tourist destination."

The Tourism Company, Mrs. Fielding and Mr. Adams wrote: "have a good understanding of tourism issues in south and west Wales and are acknowledged leaders in the field of quality management of destinations."

The plan would be prepared over the next three months and throughout the study period there would be consultation with a "wide range of organisations in the area and representatives of the tourism industry.

"We hope that the outcome will be not only an up-shift in quality of the visitor experience, but also a range of economic, social and environmental benefits for the area deriving from the utilisation of all available sources of funding working to a common agenda," they wrote. "We would welcome your fullest co-operation."

Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown, felt that it was "very good news."

"Let's wait and see what happens," she added.