FIVE jobs and two apprenticeships will be created in Aberystwyth and Cardigan thanks to grant funding for two projects.

As part of a wave of new grants from the Coastal Communities Fund - introduced in 2012 by the Welsh and UK Governments, money will go to the Vale of Rheidol Railway and the West Wales Shellfishermans Association.

The Vale of Rheidol Railway was awarded £250,000, part of which will be used to train two young people in the skills to refurbish derelict steam train carriages.

During the apprenticeship, they will refurbish two to provide disabled access and two to reinstate luxury, first-class accommodation.

The new carriages will enable the railway to “extend the train journey experience to disabled people” and “maximise their partnerships with local businesses”.

The grant will support two apprentices and two skilled trainer posts, and safeguard four current posts.

The new carriages are estimated to increase visitor numbers by 2,000 a year.

The funding will be used for salaries, recruitment, monitoring and a small contribution towards overheads.

The West Wales Shellfishermans Association, where part of the grant will be used to set up Cardigan Fishers Mutual Society, has received £194,416 to fund the purchase and installation costs of shellfish storage tanks and racking systems, and purchase of a vehicle.

The grant will also fund the salary costs of three staff posts, a full-time general manager, and two part-time seafood handlers, as well as marketing costs.

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