WALES and British Lions rugby legend Robert Jones MBE has pledged his support for the National Botanic Garden of Wales’ legacy campaign through a corporate sponsorship agreement.

Since retiring from the game in 2001, the Trebanos-born winner of 54 Welsh caps, has combined a broadcasting and business career, and is a regional director of Thomas Carroll Group plc, which has recently opened a new west Wales office in Haverfordwest.

The group, which provides insurance broking and health and safety services to the Carmathenshire garden, has stepped up its relationship by sponsoring the National Botanic Garden legacy campaign.

The campaign encourages people to leave bequests to the garden in their wills.

Mr Jones said: “The National Botanic Garden is a national treasure and a world leader for Wales.

“When I learned more about its conservation work, not only of rare Welsh species, but collections from around the globe, my admiration grew even further.

“As a Welsh company, Thomas Carroll is proud to be supporting this beautiful natural amenity for the people of Wales and tourists alike to enjoy.

“We will be encouraging our business network to join us in supporting this important campaign and I urge everyone to leave a legacy to the Garden for the benefit of future generations.”

Launching its sponsorship at the garden, Robert Jones was joined by marketing manager Gwenllian Thomas, who announced that Thomas Carroll has become the first company to sponsor the garden’s plant DNA barcode programme.

She said: “We are very excited to be augmenting our involvement with the legacy campaign by sponsoring the DNA barcode of the the Welsh poppy.

“We look forward to promoting conservation of this beautiful perennial.”

The Garden’s Head of Facilities, Clive Edwards said: “The garden has a long association and valuable working relationship with Thomas Carroll Group and we are delighted that they are getting involved in our core mission.

“We are hugely grateful to them for sponsoring our new legacy brochure”.