TWO dozen jobs will be safeguarded and a further six created thanks to a construction company's £71,000 grant.

Dorian Phillips and Partners Ltd, of Llanboidy, will use its windfall to build a joinery. This will allow the business's carpenters to have dedicated workshops to construct windows and doors, alongside specialist work on church and barn conversions.

Mr Phillips set up the company 28 years ago, with Anthony Davies becoming a partner nine years ago. Since then they have had a lot of specialist work converting churches and barns, as well as regular carpentry work.

By building the joinery, the partners plan to take on apprentices to learn the trade and help with the workload.

Said Mr Phillips: "Without the grant we would not be able to carry out this work or expand the business in this way. All our employees are local people, and I firmly believe in taking on local lads to keep young families living and working in the area."

The company's cash award has come from the Carmarthenshire County Council and Welsh Development Agency-led Property Development Grant. It aims to help new and existing businesses in the rural part of the county to develop industrial buildings.