Christmas cancelled at club hit by landslide

A community club near Port Talbot has had to cancel all its Christmas and New Year events after was hit by a landslide caused by heavy rain.

The Blue Scar Club in Pontrhydyfen was flooded on Monday night, along with a number of neighbouring houses, after it was claimed that drains blocked with debris sent water pouring down the nearby hillside.

Club treasurer Jeff Wilkins said his "heart sank" when he saw the damage caused.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said its initial findings suggest the incident was the result of a "groundwater outburst caused by recent heavy rainfall".

Mr Wilkins added that the water poured through the club's emergency door and into the building's downstairs lounge and cellar.

"Basically, it's been a clean-up operation since," he said.

"Unfortunately, it looks like the club is going to be closed over Christmas, which isn't ideal as it's one of our busiest times of the year."

NRW investigated the incident on Tuesday morning with the Mining Remediation Authority.

They said the hole created by the groundwater outburst is approximately six metres (19 feet) in diameter and the run-off stretched approximately 90 metres (295 feet) down the hill.

NRW add that the incident was a "natural occurrence" and "not associated with historical mining activity" and that there are "no recorded coal tips or mine workings in close proximity".

The home of Nathan Hooper and his wife Amber was also flooded.

"There was a lot of water coming down from the mountain and into my kitchen, " said the 40-year-old father-of-three.

"All my living room was saturated too."

He added that the situation had been especially "stressful" because the couple's house had recently been renovated.

"We've just got to rip everything out now and try to replace what we can using whatever money we've got.

"Obviously, with Christmas around the corner, it's a tough time."

• There were also reports of landslides in the Lon Penrallt area of Nefyn in Gwynedd on Wednesday.

A boathouse was destroyed and nearby footpaths are currently closed to the public.

There were two landslides on the path near Nefyn and Porth Dinllaen and Gwynedd Council has erected signs warning people to stay away from the site until it is made safe.