A number of Welsh valleys and coastal towns have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to the economic effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, a study has shown.
The Centre for Towns looked at a wide range of factors including the proportion of people working in businesses which have been shut down, the proportion of older residents, and social and economic well-being before the pandemic.
Towns include Ebbw Vale, Maesteg, Merthyr Tydfil, Kimmel Bay, and Rhyl.
Shadow Minister for Covid Recovery, Darren Millar MS, said:
"This study shows that communities in Wales are at particular risk from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
"It is essential that the Welsh Government wakes up the fact that this is both a health and an economic crisis and that there are some parts of Wales which will need more focused support to bounce back once the virus is under control.
"The Welsh Government must adopt a lives and livelihoods strategy which prioritises longer term, economic assistance to these towns to help get them back on their feet."