Nearly �1m is to be spent on improving streets in a west Wales market town.

A grant of more than �400,000 has been secured under the Objective One scheme to allow work to be carried out on the Carmarthen project.

Carmarthen castle is undergoing restoration work

Other funding has already been raised from the Welsh Assembly.

Plans are being drawn up, and work is expected to begin next year on seven roads in the east of the town.

The work on Queen Street, King Street, Priory Street, Little Water Street, Spilman Street, Church Lane and Church Road will involve landscaping and restricted parking.

Local residents, traders, businesses and community leaders were all given a say on how the area should be developed.

An exhibition was also held so that local people could see what was planned and give their views.

A further consultation will now be held to finalise detailed plans for the project before the work starts.

Strategic development officer Phil Snaith said the European grant had been awarded because of the town's importance as Carmarthenshire's administrative centre.

Developments

He said: "We have secured Objective One funding under the Strategic Towns and Villages initiative.

"There was a positive response to the consultation exercise and we are now finalising details of the scheme.

"We will go back to the groups we consulted previously," he added.

Carmarthenshire council is also drawing up plans to further develop the area along the road heading towards the roman amphitheatre on the eastern outskirts of the town.

Work has already started on a �1m scheme to restore Carmarthen castle to provide a boost to tourism in the area.