When the National Eisteddfod rolls into Carmarthenshire next month its focal point will symbolise the county and its crafts-people.

The Bardic Chair, the symbol of the National Eisteddfod, has this year been created by craftsman Robert Hopkins of Llandybie.

Robert has been a cabinetmaker and furniture restorer working out of Llandeilo for the last 30 years and is a specialist in Roman pottery.

The chair, designed by Professor Stuart Cole and made entirely of yew wood sourced from within the county, has been created to represent Carmarthenshire: the taper in the backrest and the crest were inspired by the valleys and hills while the wood-grain depicts the contours of the mountains and the wavy contrast between the sap and heart woods brings to mind the coastline.

The scroll at the bottom of each arm is symbolic of the cold rolling mills of the Llanelli tin-plate industry

The armrests are made from wool that has been hand-spun, dyed and woven by Alice Evans of Llanfihangel-ar-Arth in the colour of the Scarlets.

The chair has already proved a popular attraction at the National Botanical Gardens and will be on public display at Origin Galley in King Street, Carmarthen, until the Eisteddfod begins in August.

Both Robert and Alice are members of Origin community craft co-operative.