This week’s closure of Lampeter driving test centre is a blow for learner drivers, according to the town mayor.

Lampeter Driving Test Centre will shut its doors tomorrow due to the redevelopment of Canolfan Dulais where it is based.

Expressing disappointment at the closure, Cllr Rob Phillips criticised what he felt was a "lack of consultation".

“It seems to me that they are taking advantage of the fact that the building is being redeveloped to announce the closure,” he said.

“It does seem like a decision taken by somebody, who perhaps doesn’t really appreciate the nature of the area, the distances involved and the fact that learning to drive in Aberystwyth or Carmarthen is not the same as driving in a rural area.”

Cllr Phillips added that young people would have to pay for longer lessons and would spend their time driving to Aberystwyth or Carmarthen rather than practising manoeuvres.

“Certainly, people will be disadvantaged by it,” he said.

However, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency said candidates would be "better prepared" by learning on routes 20 miles away.

A DVSA spokesman said the centre only opened two days a week and a "more consistent" service could be provided in Aberystwyth, 25 miles away, or in Carmarthen, 23 miles away.

In a statement, the DVSA said their priority was "to help everyone through a lifetime of safe driving".

See this week’s South Ceredigion paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now