The Islwyn MS has called on the Welsh Government to intervene to safeguard Welsh National Opera and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama’s Junior Conservatoire.

Rhianon Passmore, who is also chairman of the Senedd’s Cross-Party Group on Music,  sponsored and hosted a Welsh Music Showcase on the Senedd.

Ms Passmore said: "Despite real investment in the ground breaking National Music Service, Creative Wales, Ty Cerdd and Anthem - Wales has endured 14 long years of chronic disinvestment because of the austerity agenda of the UK government.

"So I call upon the Welsh Government to urgently rescue the internationally renowned Welsh National Opera and to protect the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama’s Junior Department.

"Wales’s iconic music conservatoire must not be the only conservatoire in the world without a junior department model. Wales - our culture and our youth deserve no less.”

Among those attending the showcase were the first minister of Wales Eluned Morgan, the deputy lord-Lieutenant of Gwent Fiona Peel and the minister for culture, skills and social partnership, Jack Sargeant.