TENS of thousands of pounds have been spent in Dwyfor Meirionnydd to help mitigate the closure of a nuclear power plant.

Trawsfynydd Nuclear Plant, which shut down in 1993, was a key employer in the area before it reached the end of its service.

Over the years, many jobs and vocations have been lost as the power station winds down.

However, Magnox’s socioeconomic fund is in place to ensure that communities continue to benefit from the facility and invest in several community schemes.

In 2016/17, Magnox has awarded £30,000 to the outdoor partnership to increase the number of women and girls participating in outdoor activities, £7,000 to install state-of-the-art IT facilities at the recently refurbished Llanbedr Community Centre, £15,000 to support students at Grwp Llandrillo Menai, supported Rock Ardudwy, provided funding towards Cyfeillion Yr Ysgwrn hosting a week-long festival to commemorate 100 years since the death of Hedd Wyn and helped scores of local sports teams and gardening clubs.

One project which has benefitted from Magnox investment is CellB, a training centre, music venue and cinema facility based in the old police station in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

With more than 10,000 people visiting since July 2016, the project has gone from strength to strength. Two new part-time roles have been created and the latest youth training programme involves filming interviews with local businesses to appear on the adverts before the films.

Rhys Roberts said: “Funding from Magnox has been fundamental in opening the cinema after 40 years and has had such a positive effect on the rural area, especially being able to provide the technical media training for young people on their doorstep.”