A DOZEN Caerphilly farmers have sharpened up their sheep shearing skills thanks to a new funding grant.

Thanks to almost £2,000 from the Cwm a Mynydd Training Support Fund, farmers and their staff took a sheep shearing course.

Gareth Roberts, who looks after 350 sheep on Cefn Rhyswg Farm in Cwmcarn, said: “The course was absolutely brilliant, giving everyone who took part an invaluable new skill.

“Sheep obviously have to be sheared on a regular basis and we can make significant savings by doing that ourselves rather than bringing in contractors to do it for us”.

The fund is part of the Rural Development Fund Partnership in Caerphilly and is run on behalf of the partnership by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

Michelle Rowson-Woods, who works with the CRT, said “The training support fund has been a fantastic opportunity for people in rural wards of Caerphilly to gain new skills which help the local rural economy.

“The range of training we have supported has really shown the creativity of the people of Caerphilly”.

Other local businesses also received support from the fund including Aber Wrought Iron, a welding business in Aberbargoed.