A CENTRE that provides a space for the elderly to spend the day has been celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Garnant day centre celebrated the anniversary with around 60 people and performances from a female vocalist and children from Ysgol y Bedol.

Other guests included the Carmarthenshire County Council Chairman and Garnant Councillor Kevin Madge, Cwmaman Mayor Yvonne Evans, and Executive Board Member for Social Care and Health Cllr Jane Tremlett.

Cllr Kevin Madge said: "As local member I have been involved in the Community Centre for 24 years. Today is a great celebration of what the centre has achieved. I pay tribute to Jack Davies whose vision was to open the centre 25 years ago.

"I am proud to say I convinced the council to sell the land back in 1993, a lot of people didn't want it but I fought the battle.

"The centre brings back a lot of memories for me because my mum, aunt and great aunt used it. It is a fantastic facility that makes a big difference to people's lives.

"I would like to say a special thank you to everyone who works here including Bernadette and the dedicated kitchen staff."

Also lending his support was Neath Port Talbot councillor Arwyn Woolcock who said he was proud to back the cross border initiative. "There is a Gwaun cae Gurwen resident who is using the facility which is great, it seems crazy to have them use facilities further afield when you have this great centre right on their doorstep," he said.

Head of Homes and Safer Communities Jonathan Morgan added: "We will continue to utilise the building and expand the opportunities available to the public. For 25 years it has been a great facility for the area and we continue to building on that."

Praising the centre, Alan Graham from Penygroes said it was a "lifeline" and gave him opportunities to meet new people.

The 87-year-old added: "I have been coming here for a few weeks now after falling ill. I come every Monday and the staff are wonderful and will do anything to help. The food is fantastic and there is always fun activities going on. I am so grateful to be able to have a bus pick me up and take me home. It is great to get out and stops me from feeling lonely and isolated."