A BLAENAU Ffestiniog community group has received a grant to strengthen the Welsh language within the community.

Y Dref Werdd is one of 45 community groups and organisations all over Wales to receive a grant from money raised in Ras yr Iaith 2016.

The second Ras yr Iaith (Race for the Language) was held between 6 and 8 July 2016, raising over £14,000 to help the Welsh language prosper.

Hundreds of people ran through 25 towns and villages between Bangor and Llandeilo, uniting the nation with ‘Baton yr Iaith’, the language baton.

Raising the profile of the Welsh language, promoting healthy living and strengthening our communities, Ras yr Iaith is held every two years.

As well as raising the profile of the language by organising such a race, Ras yr Iaith also distributes grants of up to £750 from the profits created through the race to groups and organisations that promote and use the language.

One local group receiving a grant is Y Dref Werdd in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Gwydion ap Wynn, project manager at Y Dref Werdd said: “It was an honour to be a part of Ras yr Iaith in Blaenau Ffestiniog last year, and to run the race with pupils from local schools who are a large part of the language’s future. We’d love the chance to do it again."

Read the full story in this week’s north editions of the Cambrian News