Three areas in Pembrokeshire are among the most deprived communities in Wales, it has been revealed.

In the recent Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) report, communities across Wales are ranked according to which Lower-layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs) are most deprived.

The report examines factors such as employment, income, health, education, housing, access to services and safety.

The LSOAs of Llanion 1, Monkton, and Garth (Haverfordwest) all fell within the top 10% of most deprived areas in Wales; with Monkton ranked the 6th worst for housing.

Hubberston 2 was ranked 9th worst in Wales for housing and Hubberston 1 had fallen 361 places since 2008, showing a significant rise in deprivation, according to the report.

Meanwhile, Maenclochog was ranked the worst in Wales for access to services.

Responding to the findings, south county MP, Simon Hart, said: “Overall there’s been a slight change since 2008, but in Pembrokeshire we are well below the Welsh average so that’s a good thing.

“You have to consider these figures carefully; in some areas they reflect a measurement of rurality – not a measurement of deprivation.

“Maenclochog is a key example; the benefits of being in beautiful, rural surroundings come at a price.

“In places like Monkton, I’ve seen the work that’s been done and it has improved a bit in the two years I’ve known it.”

Preseli MP Stephen Crabb said the findings were “extremely disappointing”.

Mr Crabb added: “I hope that this report will help bring rural poverty up the agenda, so that Pembrokeshire can get the investment from the Welsh Government that it needs in order to tackle problems of deprivation.”

Tracy Olin, from Pembrokeshire Action to Combat Hardship (PATCH), was not surprised at the statistics.

Ms Olin said: “One of the reasons we’ve expanded to other premises is because there is a greater need in the county to help those in poverty.

“We’ve seen an approximate 120% increase in the use of our services since 2010. Some of the poverty we’re dealing with here is extreme.”

emily.davies@ westerntelegraph.co.uk