GOODWICK based conservation group, Sea Trust, is on the crest of a wave after receiving a cheque for £7,500 from property investment company Conygar Investment Company PLC.

The company was behind the multi-million pound marina development in Fishguard Harbour, which was abandoned in January following Stena's announcement that it would no longer support the application.

Conygar had also taken over the lease of Goodwick's Ocean Lab when the building was earmarked for closure in 2013 as part of Pembrokeshire County Council's cost-cutting measures.

This meant that Sea Trust, the Sea Mor aquarium, the popular café, children's soft play area and shop all remained open.

When the marina development got cast adrift in January there were once again fears about the future of the sea-front facility. However Pembrokeshire County Council agreed to renew the lease for Sea Trust and the café.

More good news came on Saturday when Sea Trust was presented a £7,500 from Conygar.

"They didn't have to do it," said Cliff. "They could have just gone, moved on, and at the same time left us wondering how to keep going. It would have been the sensible thing to do, the kind of thing you might have expected from big business.

"But no, as you see, they came up trumps giving us the breathing space to find more funding to keep the Ocean Lab going.

"It keeps us going for another year. It is a generous thing to keep us afloat."

Robert Ware, chief executive of Conygar, added:

“We have been working closely with the community around Fishguard and Goodwick, and were delighted to provide further financial backing to the Sea Trust.

"The organisation does great work in raising awareness with both local people and tourists of the diverse marine wildlife around this section of Welsh coastline and engaging them in conservation – it is a brilliant asset to the community.

“Last month’s news that Stena Line had decided to withdraw from the Fishguard Waterfront Development, making it impossible for us to proceed with the plans, was incredibly disappointing.

"However, we have forged strong relationships throughout the area and continuing to support the Sea Trust in this way seemed the only right and proper course of action.”