WORK to promote the Elan Valley as a dark sky tourism destination has been given a £67,000 by the Welsh Government.

The cash, from the government’s tourism support service, will buy a mobile planetarium, stargazing equipment including binoculars, eye pieces and telescopes and fund the construction of a bespoke shelter at the Elan Valley where observers will be able to view the stars and southern sky-scape.

In 2015 the Elan Valley, near Rhayader, was designated as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association, the first privately owned but publicly accessible park in the world to do so.

This status now means that the entire 45,000 acres of the Elan Valley are protected against light pollution for the benefit of those who live and work there, in addition to the many visitors each year.

The status also provides sanctuary for the abundance of wildlife and nature which can be found by day or night on the estate.

Charlotte Harley, assistant land agent for Elan Valley Trust said: “The grant will enable us to develop the Elan Valley dark sky offering, enabling people with more opportunities to view and learn about the dark skies which are so spectacular here at the Elan Valley.”

The mobile planetarium will include information about the estate’s designations and others in Wales, details about the Elan Valley’s night skies, where to observe and basic information about stargazing and astronomy.

The estate’s partners Tir Coed, a charity that engages people with woodlands, will build the shelter.

Ffion Farnell, Tir Coed chief executive said: “We are delighted to be building this bespoke shelter at the Elan Valley, allowing our aspiring trainees a chance to develop their skills and gain paid work experience.”

The project has been developed through the support of the Elan Links: People, Nature and Water landscape partnership which is an investment of £3.3 million over five years by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Elan Valley Trust, Dwr Cymru, Community Arts Rhayader & District, Tir Coed and Natural Resources Wales.

The Brecon Beacons National Park was designated as Wales’ first dark sky reserve in 2012.