A £120,000 boost to improve tourism facilities at Marloes Sands will be the focus of a new National Trust project over the next two years.

The Trust has secured the £120,000 grant through the Welsh Government’s Tourism Amenity Investment Support scheme, funded by the Welsh Government’s Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme.

A new visitor welcome building, improved car park surface and a refresh of signage, information and interpretation are all planned as part of the project, which will take place this year in readiness for completion and opening in Easter 2020.

Mark Underhill, the National Trust’s countryside manager for north Pembrokeshire, said: “We’re delighted to have secured funding through the Tourism Amenity Investment Support scheme.

“With our visitor numbers growing to more than 30,000 last year, we recognise that more and more people are enjoying and exploring Marloes Sands and the wider peninsula.

“This funding will enable us to invest and improve in our visitor welcome infrastructure to help visitors make the most of this special place, whether they’re coming for wildlife watching, to connect with nature or for a day out at the beach.

“We’ll be working closely with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the Marloes community and partner organisations to ensure our infrastructure sits well in the local environment and is valued by local and tourists alike.”

The project follows on from the Trust’s investment in Runwayskiln, a farmhouse, café and series of accommodation buildings near Marloes Sands.

Christopher Jessop, vice-chairman of Marloes and St Brides Community Council, said: “Our community is pleased to be working with the National Trust on this project.

“We appreciate the involvement we have had so far in helping the Trust develop the scheme and look forward to a continued dialogue which will allow the project to benefit from the knowledge and experience of local residents.”