A COUPLE from Johnston will be celebrating the Welsh language this Christmas, thanks to a new government project.

Parents from across west Wales are being encouraged to “pass on the gift of Welsh” as part of the Welsh Government's Twf campaign.

Twf offers information, advice and support to new parents on how their baby can be bilingual from birth.

Elliw and Huw Rowlands, from Johnston, approached Twf to help them find ways in which they could introduce Welsh into their 14-month-old son Rhidian’s life.

Elliw, who is a fluent Welsh speaker, has attended Twf's Babi a fi (baby and me) sessions with Rhidian.

She said: “Once I became pregnant we discussed bringing our child up bilingually and decided we would like Rhidian to attend Welsh-speaking schools.

"It’s important to us that our son has this extra skill and that he can build a relationship with both his Welsh and English speaking families.”

First Minister, Carwyn Jones said: “We know that the future of the Welsh language lies with the children and young people of Wales.

“By speaking Welsh with a child from an early age they will be comfortable in a bilingual setting and are likely to be able to learn other languages much easier.

“As this campaign highlights the Welsh language is a great gift to pass on to your child. It is part of our culture and something we should be proud to share.”

For more information visit facebook.com/TwfCymru.