Powys will receive nearly £500,000 to support cycling and active travel scheme in the county, which has been welcomed by the county council.

The county will receive £480,000 from the Welsh Government to help fund eight cycling and active travel projects across the county.

Councillor Heulwen Hulme, Cabinet Member for Highways, says the plans will be a huge boost for the area.

She said: "Improving walking and cycling connections between residential areas and important facilities such as school and medical centres is vital if we are to increase community activity.

"The funding will provide a welcome boost to schemes in towns like Newtown, Brecon and Llandrindod wells and we are grateful to the Welsh Government for their support."

Newtown will receive £150,000 with £50,000 each for three active travel projects in the town, the first a scheme to improve access from the town's Back Lane car park to the town centre to help boost links in and around the new riverside eco/canoe centre on the National Cycle Network.

Brecon will receive £115,000 for two projects while Llandrindod Wells' Cefnllys Road will get £50000 to complete the next section of a scheme started in 2017 on Spa Road linking the town centre with residential areas.

The route will connect Cefnllys School, County Hall, health facilities, retail services, with residential areas.

The new link will provide an off-road alternative route for cyclists on the national cycle network 825, avoiding sections of busy highway, including the A483 roundabout.

Forden near Welshpool will get £40,000 to complete an existing scheme allowing residents to use a route without walking or riding on the busy A490. The route will also link with the Offa's Dyke Trail.

The county council has also received £25,000 to improve cycle and scooter storage/parking at several schools in the county. The money will provide new shelters and brackets would encourage more pupils to cycle or scoot to school.

A further £200,000 has been earmarked for Brecon and Monmouth and Montgomery canals as a contribution towards overall cost of improving towpaths.