Bargoed youngsters taking part in rugby camps over the Easter holidays received a special visit from Welsh rugby international Andrew Coombs, from Nelson, and former Welsh international and Cross Keys player Lloyd Burns.
The rugby camps were organised as part of Project Bernie, a council-backed scheme aimed at reducing grass fires over the Easter break. The scheme put on a range of activities for youngsters and raises awareness of the damage caused by deliberate fires.
Cllr David Poole, cabinet member for community and leisure services, said: “This excellent project uses a combination of techniques to tackle the issue of deliberate grass fires – an issue which traditionally sees an increase during the Easter holiday period.
“Using the rugby camps and a high profile player as a diversion for the youngsters is a stroke of genius. Alongside the diversionary activities, high visibility patrols and awareness raising events throughout the community have taken place. I hope we are able to continue our run of amazing results that have been seen in past years that the project has been delivered.”
Project Bernie takes its name from ‘Bernie’ a cartoon sheep.