The close-knit south Wales village which is coming to terms with the death of a 12-year-old boy has been given an award in recognition of its achievements as a community.

Stuart Rhys Cunningham Jones, a Cowbridge comprehensive pupil, died on 3 December in a bus crash near his home in Ystradowen.

I think that winning this competition will be a positive thing for the village Tracey Cookson, resident

The announcement on Tuesday that the village had won the community prize for Wales in the Calor Village of the Year competition came as a welcome lift for people in the village.

Tracey Cookson, 32, said: "The whole village was reeling after the accident - it still is.

"Everyone knows each other and on that night we all pulled together.

"It has been such a shock and everyone has been affected by what has happened.

"People work so hard to make it a community here and winning this award gives recognition to this," she said.

Pride

Ms Cookson, who has lived in the village for two years said Ystradowen had an active community life with events being held most weekends.

"I think there are two things that people are proud of in Ystradowen.

"One is the village hall that was built in the 1980s and has become a central point for everyone living here.

"The other is the lay-by. It used to be a lorry lay-by but was so bleak that the village reclaimed the land and have made it into a real focal point.

Tracey Cookson is proud to live in Ystradowen

"It is really nice, its got paving and a lovely garden and has given us something to be proud of.

"I think that winning this competition will be a positive thing for the village," she added.

Another resident who did not want to be named said the award was a boost to the village.

"The whole place has just stopped since the accident," she said.

"Events have been cancelled and it is like the village is in mourning.

"Maybe this is just what the village needs to start picking itself up from the awful tragedy," she said.

Proactive

The award and a cheque for �375 for the village was presented to a team from Ystradowen by the Princess Royal at the Millennium Hotel in London.

Entry co-ordinator Rosemary Ives said: "Ystradowen has a history of being a very proactive community.

"The village has doubled in size over the past six years and members of the community - old and new - play their part in looking after it," she said.