Newcastle Emlyn bursting with activity next month as the market town celebrates March Madness/Miri Mawrth - a diary of events for all members of the family.

The event, organised by the Newcastle Emlyn Traders Group, will enjoy the added boost of free parking on St David’s Day as well as every Saturday throughout the month.

"Many people complain about car parking charges when they visit the shop, and to have five days out of the year as free parking is very important," said trader Barry Adams.

"It’s great that Carmarthenshire County Council is actually thinking about these towns and villages and we are very grateful to them for this.".

Tuesday, March 1, will see music from pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn and Ysgol y Ddwylan, free Welsh cakes, Welsh delicacies in participating cafes and a children’s St David’s drawing exhibition. On March 5, the Fairtrade Fortnight Big Breakfast will be hosted with a variety of fairtrade and breakfast specials in various town cafes as well as a LOAF market in Cawdor Hall.

A week later, on March 12, children can create a masterpiece from fairtrade and recycled materials in a craft workshop at Cawdor Hall, and on March 19, a Spring into Spring event will be held with 1950s fashion, jugglers and magicians as well as a vintage car and tractor show in the mart car park.

The events have been created by a new traders group in the town, and plans are afoot to organise more such activities.

Mr Adams said: "The traders group has already been discussing resurrecting the Dragon Festival in the town, and an Arts Festival is already at work.

"The Food Festival is already on-going and maybe a Music Festival could be on its way.

"A lot of it depends on how people react to the events we host this March.

‘Nothing much has happened in the town over recent years to attract people to organise events together.

"It would be great to draw people to the town by traders working together.

"We all have different talents and by working together and spreading the responsibility between us, we can ensure that Newcastle Emlyn is on the map."

To finish the month-long activity session, an Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, March 26, with prizes for all correct entries and a chance to win a Fairtrade Easter egg.