The Welsh Government has announced £3.1 million to strengthen Welsh-speaking communities across Wales.

The funding is designed to strengthen community facilities, support local economies and create more opportunities to use Welsh socially.

This includes £2.7 million to upgrade the Urdd’s residential centres at Pentre Ifan, Llangrannog and Glan-llyn.

This will allow the Urdd to develop new accommodation and an extended kitchen at Pentre Ifan, increasing the centre’s capacity.

Money for Glan-llyn and Llangrannog will improve the quality of accommodation and fund a new indoor Ten-Pin Bowling Centre at Glan-llyn.

Urdd Chief Executive, Siân Lewis, said: "Over the decades, our residential centres have been places where children and young people build confidence, make friends and experience Welsh as a living language beyond the classroom, as we work together towards a million Welsh speakers and create more opportunities to use the language.

"I would like to thank the Welsh Government for helping to secure the future of Urdd centres as inclusive, safe and progressive spaces for generations to come, while also supporting employment opportunities and economic activity within the community."

There is also £400,000 through the Perthyn grant scheme to help communities establish social enterprises and community-led housing projects.

This will support community groups to develop social enterprises with Welsh at their heart, including community-led housing projects.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and the Welsh Language, Anna Brychan, said: "This investment is about creating opportunities to use Welsh in everyday life and supporting our communities to thrive.

"Whether it is creating jobs, supporting young people to use Welsh, or helping communities develop local facilities, we are investing in places that strengthen community life and support the future of our language."