Llanboidy Hall will be much warmer - and cost efficient - soon thanks to the installation of a new heating system and general improvements.

Llanboidy Market Hall Committee have been successful in obtaining funding to buy new energy efficient quartz heaters to replace their existing high level radiant heaters. They decided to apply following an energy efficiency survey conducted by Melin consultancy and funded by RDP Sir Gâr's Zero Carbon Future.

Other works being undertaken include the replacement of tungsten bulbs and compact fluorescent bulkheads and fluorescent tubes for more energy efficient lighting, draft exclusion to keep the heat in as well as a rewiring of the hall.

Throughout the year, numerous events take place at the hall and it is regularly used by the Young Farmers Club, Ysgol Bro Brynach, Llanboidy Community Council, as well as the local church and chapels who hold concerts, coffee mornings, bazaars etc to raise money for local and national charities.

Helen Williams, community development officer with Carmarthenshire County Council, has been working with the group on the hall improvements.

She said: "Lack of usage of the facility due to inadequate heating could have led to the risk of closure and left this rural locality without a basic service. After the work has been carried out to update the venue, the group will apply for an 'awards for all' grant to market the facility to its full potential and work on delivering new services such as IT classes and job clubs."

RDP Sir Gâr's Innovative Communities, part of the Axis 4 Innovative Hubs scheme, and Rural Community Inclusion have provided funding of £44,998 towards the project.

Innovative Communities supports the trialling of new ideas that could benefit community life and Rural Community Inclusion aims to help increase the availability and accessibility of basic services and facilities in rural Carmarthenshire. Both projects are funded through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

If you would like further details on RDP Sir Gâr grants and support, please call 01267 242366 or visit http://www.wwec.org.uk">www.wwec.org.uk