One of Pembrokeshire's most successful young farmers' clubs has secured its future by buying the hall where it has met for more than half a century.

Llysyfran YFC feared it could lose its meeting place when Gwastad Chapel was given notice to carry out a series of improvements to its hall to comply with new disabled access legislation.

With a very small membership, the chapel wasn't in a position to pay for the renovations so it struck a deal with Llysyfran YFC.

The hall was sold to the club for an undisclosed sum and the members must now recoup that money and funds to pay for renovations by holding a series of events.

One of the club leaders, dairy farmer John Bevan, said new toilet facilities had already been provided.

The next project was to establish a parking area and rear access to the building. "At the moment members have to park on the roadside but for safety reasons it is necessary for us to provide a car park,'' he said.

It had been important for the club to buy the hall because, if it had no meeting place, its future could have been in doubt, he said.

"If the hall had closed down, there would have been nowhere for the young people to meet,'' said Mr Bevan, who is also chairman of the hall management committee.

"There are very few facilities left in the countryside for young people so it is important that we secure things of this nature.''

Llysyfran YFC is a thriving club with a membership of over 60 and many awards to its name.

Donations are being sought for one of its first fundraising events - an auction of promises at the Haverfordwest County Showground on March 4th at 7.30pm.

There will be a buffet and entertainment provided by the members.