Royal keeps his promise

Prince Charles visited the town on St David's Day to hear of the devastating impact that the closure of Corus is having on Ebbw Vale.

He pledged at a business forum that his own organisations would try to contribute to the regeneration of the community.

He added he wanted his Prince's Trust and Business In the Community (BITC) to help the town recover from the job losses.

And already these promises have begun to be fulfilled, with three organisations drawing up a plan to help and support more young people who are taking part in the regeneration of the local economy.

Blaenau Gwent council, the Prince's Trust Cymru and BITC have been told that the Prince is determined that the organisations will play their part in bringing long-term and practical help to the community.

At a specially-convened meeting at the Civic Centre in Ebbw Vale, Prince's Trust director Tom Davies and BITC Wales director Peter Williams met the council's leading members and chief officers.

They discussed a wide range of challenges and opportunities for organisations and businesses to help young people - and they agreed to seek new ways of working together.

They said the move away from large-scale industry and more emphasis on self-employment is leading to a greater focus on young people setting up their own small businesses.

Council leader John Hopkins said: "The success of the Prince's visit is being developed by new ideas from different quarters to work in partnership."

Mr Davies added it was a "tremendously exciting opportunity".

"His Royal Highness has made this one of the priorities for his organisations, ourselves, Business in the Community and the Prince's Foundation," he said.

"We look forward to responding to the impetus the leader of the council is giving this work."

The Prince said at the specially-arranged business forum earlier this month: "Your history shows that you are more than capable of meeting a challenge like this one."