MP Chris Davies was filmed praising a community project from Crickhowell in the House of Commons last week.

The Brecon and Radnorshire MP talked about the success around The Corn Exchange community project while calling for a debate on what more the UK Government can do to encourage community projects on Thursday, January 11.

Mr Davies visited the project in November and December last year with the leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies MP.

Mr Davies said: "I was thoroughly impressed after meeting some of the leading figures behind the project. The people of Crickhowell and the backers of this project have set an example to all market towns across the country.

"I will be pushing for a Government debate on how we can encourage and enable more rural communities to take over dilapidated buildings and revamp them to serve the local community and bring in investment."

The Crickhowell project started after a campaign in 2015 against a national supermarket which was due to occupy the former pub.

Following the campaign’s success, the Crickhowell residents organised for the grade II listed building to be converted into three flats and three shops for smaller businesses.

Managing director Dean Christy of Corn Exchange Crickhowell Ltd has thanked Chris Davies for his support during his recent visit and for mentioning the project in the House of Commons.

Dean said: "We want to send a message to people far and wide than in addition to protesting against things they feel are detrimental to their communities, it is possible for people to band together to undertake projects and take positive action which will benefit everyone.

"The people of Crickhowell stopped a supermarket coming to town and in doing so protected family-run businesses and local jobs. By sympathetically converting the building into three flats and three shops, we have preserved a historic building and created new homes and more jobs in our High Street.

"If, with the help of Chris Davies MP, we can inspire others to build their communities they want, we will have achieved a fantastic result which will have an impact far beyond Crickhowell."

You can watch the footage of Chris Davies speaking in the House of Commons below:Two smaller businesses have already taken up resident in the recently convert building and one of the flats is now occupied.The first shop to be housed at the Corn Exhange is Wales first zero-waste shop, called Natural Weigh, which will be opening at the beginning of March. The second shop has been occupied by Odonnell Bakehouse, owned b Michelle O'Donnell-Evans and Daryll Evans, which opened last week - Crickhowell residents queued outside at 10am on the bakery's first day. The couple, who used to sell their legendary brownies at the Market Hall in Crickhowell before moving due to lack of space, said they have been "overwhelmed" by the response from local people. Corn Exchange Crickhowell Ltd's communications director Tim Jones said: "We are thrilled to see Odonnell Bakehouse breathing new life into The Corn Exchange and Crickhowell High Street. "We look forward to the opening of Wales' first zero-waste shop, Natural Weigh, at the beginning of March and hope to fill the remaining shop and two flats very soon."