YOUNGSTERS from the Vale met footballing superstar Gareth Bale after creating portraits of the Wales football team.

Children completed the project with artists Jon and Sally Phillips of Pippin Designs, which involved producing pictures of Chris Coleman’s squad.

It was delivered as part of the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Barry Communities First scheme, run in partnership with the Vale Youth Service, Newydd Housing Association and Castleland Community Centre.

The group got the opportunity to show Welsh players their efforts ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Serbia at the Cardiff City Stadium, returning later to watch the match.

Paintings will be divided up amongst those involved and displayed in schools and community buildings around the Vale.

Communities First development officer Samantha Jones said: “The partners and young people involved would like to thank Chris Coleman, the manager of the Wales football team, for the opportunity to meet the team as well as Mark Evans, Head of Internationals at the FAW, for providing the funding for the art project and match tickets.”

The future of Communities First is currently being discussed. If you wish to have your say please complete the online survey at by December 9.

The survey can be found on the Communities First Facebook page or by searching online for Welsh Government Building resilient communities survey.

For more information please contact Barry Communities First on 01446 709432 or email Communitiesfirst@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Find them on Facebook at BarryCommunitiesFirst.