National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Wales are to receive a further £1.9m from the Welsh Assembly Government over the next two years.

Welsh environment minister John Griffiths said £1.2m would come through the Sustainable Development Fund to National Parks and £700,000 towards the country's AONBs.

The fund aims to "engage" communities in sustainability projects and it is hoped that the investment will encourage the development of more schemes in the coming months.

Griffiths said: "These areas, along with our wider natural environment generally, are vital to the health and well being of people in Wales.

"They also make a significant contribution to the Welsh economy, contributing £8.8bn worth of goods and services each year and forming nine percent of Welsh GDP."

Image: Sgwd Isaf Clun-gwyn, a waterfall in the Brecon Beacons National Park