A drive to encourage more Welsh to be used at schools and workplaces has been the focus of a conference in Carmarthen on Tuesday.

The range of opportunities for Welsh learners were outlined to education chiefs from across south Wales.

What we will plan and decide within the next year will have a fundamental impact on the future of the Welsh language Meirion Prys Jones, Welsh Language Board

The delegates were told the language was facing a crossroads and its future depended on education prospects.

Meirion Prys Jones, chief officer for education and training at the Welsh Language Board said it was a vital time.

"Welsh medium and bilingual education are at a crossroads," he said.

"What we will plan and decide within the next year will have a fundamental impact on the future of the Welsh language".

He said there was a need to review current educational practices and praised the college's attempts to take a leading role in this process.

"There has been a void in terms of higher education looking at bilingualism," he said.

The Bilingualism in Practice conference at Trinity College, Carmarthen, aims to encourage the use of Welsh as a medium both for educational and vocational uses.

About 50 delegates from secondary schools and higher education bodies attended the conference.

There has been a void in terms of higher education looking at bilingualism Meirion Prys Jones, Welsh Language Board

It comes weeks after the Welsh Assembly Government unveiled �27m to help secure the future of the language.

On Monday, Welsh Education Minister Jane Davidson rejected plans to offer maths and science lessons in Welsh only at three schools in Carmarthenshire.

The move would have been introduced at Ysgol Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen, Ysgol Gyfun Maesyryrfa and Ysgol Y Strade, Llanelli.

Ms Davidson said the consultation process behind the proposal had been inadequate, although she did applaud some of the council's aims.

Bryan Stephens, head of School Support services at Carmarthenshire council, said the rejection was a significant blow.

"The decision had been a major set-back to the authority's Welsh language education aims for the county," he said.

Conference organiser Elsie Reynolds said she was looking at the way to continue Welsh learning beyond nursery and primary schools, after which use of the language tends to drop off.

"We hope to introduce opportunities to develop skills through the medium of Welsh and increase the availability of Welsh language courses and expand its use in the workplace," she said.

She stressed the delegates at the conference would be able to make a significant difference by helping to develop their staff.