DELEGATES from the leading chairlift company in Europe visited Gwent yesterday to discuss a proposed multi-million pound tourist attraction.

Poma Lift GB, the company behind many of the ski lifts systems in the Alps, sent a delegation to Risca for a site visit of the proposed marina attached to the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal.

The company's managing director, Michel Mercier, was among the delegation to judge the viability of a cable car system to the top of Twmbarlwm mountain.

He will also give advice on how the project could be financed through European aid.

Also included in the project to develop the area around the Adams Quarry is the creation of a hotel for visitors to the area, a skate park and tennis courts.

The project could generate up to 70 jobs for the area.

An artist's impression of the leisure park was submitted to consultants at Caerphilly county borough council, which will consider the scheme once a study on the canal is complete.

Risca councillor Keith Griffiths, who came up with the marina idea, said: "This is a big step in the right direction."

The Argus exclusively revealed the marina project last August.

"Within 18 hours of the Argus report we had phone calls from Poma to say they were interested," said Councillor Griffiths.

"We also had a lot of phone calls from local people who have emigrated to Canada and New Zealand saying they would come back straight away if the marina was constructed!"