The town will host a Dylan Thomas festival in September

And a performance of Under Milk Wood using the houses and streets of New Quay could also be set up as part of a series of Ceredigion events to mark the 50th anniversary of the poet's death.

Thomas lived in New Quay for nearly a year in 1944 and the town inspired him to write "Quite Early One Morning" as well as providing several characters for "Under Milk Wood".

New Quay's economic regeneration group, Cei Dev, is at the centre of organising events which includes the opening of the Dylan Thomas trail by his daughter Aeronwy in July.

We hope that this year is just the start of the county befitting from its links with Dylan Thomas Bronwen Raine, Cei Dev

Cei Dev's project worker, Bronwen Raine, is co-ordinating the project.

"Although Dylan's connections with Ceredigion are well established they are not recognised in tourist terms," she said.

Unique performance

Consequently, the 50th anniversary of his death has given Cei Dev the opportunity of kick starting a number of schemes that aim to encourage tourists to visit Ceredigion as well as Laugharne and Swansea.

"Combining trips to those places with a trip to Ceredigion makes for a longer stay in Wales for visitors," said Mrs Raine.

"We hope that this year is just the start of the county benefiting from its links with Dylan Thomas."

New Quay will host a Dylan Thomas festival in September, which includes an exhibition by artist John Selway and could include an unique performance of Under Milk Wood.

The poet dodged bullets at his New Quay home

"We are in the early stages of planning a performance of the play, or at least parts of it, conducting a tour around the town with people performing while hanging out of their windows and in the streets," said Mrs Raine, who wants the whole area to take part in celebrations.

"We don't want to have all the events at New Quay because Dylan Thomas is part of the entire area's history and heritage," she said.

Machine gun

Lampeter's connection with the poet is mainly due to it being the venue for the trial of army captain, William Killick, charged with trying to murder Thomas.

Killick attacked the Thomas household with his service weapons, including a machine gun and grenade, after the two had rowed in a local pub.

Killick was acquitted at Lampeter court but a reconstruction of the trial could now be on the cards according to Selwyn Walters, who is the chairman of the town's regeneration group, Menter Llambed.

"Students performed a dramatised reconstruction of the play last year and we could ask them to put the play on at the town hall, where the trial took place," said Mr Walters, who is enthusiastic about developing Ceredigion's links with the poet.

"We also intend to set up a driven tour of Dylan's many haunts in Ceredigion including Aberaeron, Talsarn, New Quay and Lampeter," he added.