A local transport group is tackling the fuel crisis and environmental issues head-on, as an eco-friendly minibus was unveiled last week.

The Preseli Rural Transport Association (PRTA)'s minibus Green Dragon II was launched by AM Nerys Evans at Caffi Beca on Thursday.

This is thought to be the first 15-seater community transport vehicle in the UK to use this approach.

The minibus has been converted from diesel to be powered by 100% vegetable oil by Veg Oil Motoring, Pembrokeshire.

The volunteer run PRTA is leading the way in trialling the use of vegetable oil fuel while looking to grow their own crops to fuel the bus.

The scheme aims to help regenerate the local economy by using inactive land, with the added benefit of reducing the vehicle's carbon footprint.

PRTA chair Rod Bowen said: "We have ambitious plans for this approach and the use of this fuel and hope that the trial will pave the way for us to do further work in the development of environmentally-fuelled community minibuses.

As diesel costs rocket, it is hoped this project will put north Pembrokeshire on the map as a leader in using environmentally-friendly fuel.

Nerys Evans said: "There is no doubt that this scheme will benefit many people in the local community. I think that the work being done by the Preseli Rural Transport Association is fantastic and they are certainly leading the way with the sort of work they are doing, not only here in Wales but throughout the whole of the UK."

PRTA has also signed an agreement to secure an accessible transport link into the Preseli Hills.

The agreement will provide funding for a flexible minibus link to the new Tafarn Y Bwlch visitors' centre, to be built within the next year.

This will extend the Preseli walkers bus service, established in 2004, set up to help walkers, tourists and the local population to get around the area.

For more details, visit www.greendragonbus.co.uk.