Athletes representing Wales in next month's Commonwealth Games will have to provide their own competition kit because of a shortfall in funds.

Competitors - including former Commonwealth champion hurdler Colin Jackson - will also have to do without official shoes for the opening ceremony at the end of next month.

We will be the poor relations of the home countries

Myrddin John, Commonwealth Games CEO for Wales

Officials said they have had to make last minute cuts because of the lack of financial backing from Welsh councils.

In response, the Welsh Local Government Association said it sympathised with the situation, but local authorities are constantly faced with the need to prioritise spending.

A spokesman added that the Commonwealth Games is a national event and should be funding by national means.

Only Carmarthenshire and Caerphilly authorities - with �1,500 between them - have contributed towards the appeal.

Team funds have fallen �100,000 short despite grants of �35,000 from the Sports Council of Wales and another �30,000 from the games organisers in Manchester.

Welsh team managers said other cost-saving measures mean nobody will stay on for final celebrations once their events have ended.

Wales will be sending 335 competitors to the 2002 games which are being staged in Manchester.

Colin Jackson is a double Commonwealth Games gold medallist

Commonwealth Games Chief Executive for Wales, Myrddin John said he was disappointed by the lack of support from local authorities.

"We have considered a march past of just the team manager carrying the flag at the opening ceremony," he said.

"We are having to take cash from our reserves although that will mean less for sport in Wales in years to come.

"Other nations within the UK were not facing the same financial hurdles.

"Belfast City Council has doubled its contribution to the Northern Ireland team to �20,000," Mr John said.

"England have no problem and Scotland are sponsored by the Bank of Scotland so we will be the poor relations of the home countries.

"There may be some complacency because the game are in Manchester but the only place we would save money would be on travel."

Head of sport and recreation at Carmarthenshire Council Colin James said the county had given the national team �1,000.

Major sporting event

"We wanted to support the team, it is something we have always done," he said.

"I was rather surprised to hear we were one of only two councils to do so. Each council makes its own decisions."

The Commonwealth Games are being staged in Manchester between 25 July and 4 August.

Seventy two nations are taking part in the event bringing together more than 5,000 competitors and officials.