First Minister for Wales Rhodri Morgan has given his wholehearted approval to plans for a major military heritage centre in Pembroke Dock.

Mr Morgan met trustees from Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust and representatives of partner organisations involved in the ambitious proposals for the restored Garrison Chapel.

Also attending were Nick Ainger MP; Angela Burns AM; chief executive of Milford Haven Port Authority, Ted Sangster; deputy leader of Pembrokeshire County Council Cllr John Allen-Mirehouse; and chairman of Pembroke Dock townscape heritage initiative steering group, Cllr Brian Hall.

The First Minister was briefed on plans to create the military heritage centre at the only Georgian military chapel in Wales, once part of the Royal Dockyard.

He was also updated on their project aimed at raising a unique Sunderland flying boat – the only wartime version left in the world – from the seabed.

Mr Morgan applauded the Trust’s proposals: “Pembroke Dock’s unique complex of naval dockyard buildings would make it a very appropriate site for a military heritage centre,” he said.

“Public interest in the Second World War and the Battle of the Atlantic remains and it continues to be one of the most crucial turning points of the war. “The full story needs to be brought to life in some way and Pembroke Dock has something unique to offer the world.”