A sod-cutting ceremony has been held to mark the start of work on a new £6.5m sports and entertainment venue at Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay, North Wales.

Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones helped launch the scheme, which is being led by Conwy Council and is backed by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU). Parc Eirias Events Centre will be home to a centre of sporting excellence, featuring a WRU-standard rugby union pitch and a 2,500-seat covered grandstand.

Team changing facilities are also proposed at the venue, which will become the new home of Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (North Wales Rugby) and the WRU North Wales Academy. A multi-purpose centre will be available for community use and will offer conference and classroom facilities; a gym; an indoor pitch and high performance sports analysis facilities.