The Wrexham area is to receive �6m in European funding to help regenerate local villages - hit by the closure of Brymbo Steelworks ten years ago.

The cash has been given as part of the Urban II scheme - with Wrexham the only successful applicant in Wales.

The programme will run over the next six years with the council having to provide six million pounds worth of match funding.

The villages which will benefit include Llay, Brynteg, Coedpoeth and Brymbo - all affected when the steelworks closed.

Entrepreneurs

A partnership will now be set up consisting of public and private sector representatives and members of the local community.

The money will be spent on creating new entrepreneurs within the villages to the west of Wrexham and on addressing crime and health issues there.

The money is particularly welcome following Wrexham's loss of assisted area status earlier this year.

There were four Welsh bids for funding - the others were from Cardiff, Blaenau Gwent and the Vale of Glamorgan but only one programme is allowed in Wales.