Tenby councillors have congratulated the organisers of the Ironman event for putting on yet another spectacular spectacle in the town over the weekend, but have urged more locals to volunteer in the build up to next year's event.

Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown told her colleagues at Tuesday night's meeting of the town council that she was so pleased to be part of the Ironman Wales as a volunteer for four days prior to the race day, and was needed to pack competitors' bags.

However, she said that it was sad to see that, although Tenby supported the event superbly on race day, there had been a distinct lack of help in the run-up to the event.

"To my distress, I found there was a sort of boycott which stopped some seasoned volunteers from putting their names forward. Why? Because the event was not being co-cordinated by a local company, I was told," she explained.

"Ironman is a bonus event to our town after a particularly bad season and one that we hope to keep for years to come.

"Volunteers are imperative to stage such a high profile event and Tenby you were needed," continued Clr. Mrs. Brown, explaining that just four volunteers turned up on the Wednesday, while Thursday came and they were still thin on the ground, and by Friday even an athlete entering the competition actually volunteered to help himself with registration, along with volunteers from Narberth, Saundersfoot and Pembroke etc.

"The only four Tenby volunteers on registration for both Friday and Saturday were the Mayor, myself and two of my neighbours.

"Yes, there were volunteers for marshalling on race day and I know 45 students from Greenhill's sixth form and Tenby Youth rugby team were also involved, but where were all the other local Tenby associations who supported the event last year and could have earned themselves £200 per 10 volunteers; it's a real shame they weren't there," she remarked.

"We are a tourism town and one that is struggling in these times. Anyone or any event that brings tourists to our town should be welcomed by us in any way possible.

"Volunteering for even an hour as a Tenby person would have made Ironman so much more welcoming to our visitors. However, the event was brilliant and we should congratulate the Ironman team for staging such a prestigious spectacle.

"I would like to thank everybody that did volunteer in any way and the crowds for the encouragement given to the athletes on race day," said Clr. Mrs. Brown, also thanking somebody she had met called Brent and the events crew who on Saturday night she praised for putting up barriers in the town quietly and efficiently, and removing them again and tidying up so quickly after the event too.

"Let's hope that we can welcome Ironman Wales back in 2013 to an even better event with the help of more volunteers," she concluded.

Mayor, Clr. Trevor Hallett, said that once again the Ironman event had proved a fabulous weekend in the town.

"Again it was a brilliant day out. One competitor who had been to many of the Ironman events even commented that the brilliant support in Tenby and the area had knocked two hours off his personal best," he commented.

Clr. Lawrence Blackhall praised the way that the local businesses embraced the event and he looked forward to it returning again next year.

He also gave special congratulations to the Mayor for his dedication in welcoming the competitors over the finishing line.

"I feel very proud of our Mayor, he welcomed the winner across the line at 3.30 pm and stayed until nearly 11.45 pm to make sure that he saw everyone over the finishing line too," he said, with Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane offering a special well done on behalf of the town council to all the local entrant.