£20m boost for Swansea Civic Centre days after MP’s call for action

In an opinion piece published by Swansea Bay News on Sunday, Mr Bell said reviving the Civic Centre should be the city’s “next big regeneration step” — and urged momentum behind the proposals.

Now, that push appears to have paid off.

The funding follows months of campaigning by the MP and is being described as a key step towards turning recently unveiled plans for the Civic Centre into reality — although it will still need to go through further checks, including due diligence and approval of a final business case, before it is formally released.

Those plans — drawn up with Swansea Council and development partners Urban Splash — would see the site transformed into a mixed-use destination, featuring cafes, bars, shops, workspaces and leisure space, alongside around 140 apartments and 15 commercial units.

Headline attractions include proposals for a saltwater lido and a new aquarium, with the latter designed as a “next generation” visitor experience combining live marine exhibits with cutting-edge digital technology.

The attraction is also expected to work closely with Swansea University’s marine experts, with a strong focus on education and conservation.

Swansea Bay News has charted the rapid progress of the scheme in recent weeks, from the release of the first artist impressions to cabinet backing and strong public interest during consultation.

But until now, a central question has remained: how the transformation would actually be funded.

The £20 million investment from the UK Government begins to answer that — and is expected to help unlock the next phase of the project as it moves beyond consultation, with a planning application anticipated later this year.

For decades, the Civic Centre has served as a base for council services, but with departments now relocating — including to the new Y Storfa hub — attention has quickly turned to the future of the prominent seafront complex.

Torsten Bell, MP for Swansea West said securing “major investment” in what he describes as an “iconic Swansea landmark” has been a “personal priority”.

Mr Bell said: “With £20m funding from the UK Labour Government, this is another big step forward for the city.

“With its prime spot overlooking the splendid curve of our beach, the building is crying out for a new lease of life. And that is exactly what we are going to give it, as we keep investing in Swansea’s future, not just remembering its past.

“Great progress has been made with the opening of Y Storfa and regeneration of the Palace Theatre. Works to improve Castle Gardens and open new offices from the Kingsway to St David’s are also underway. The momentum is real – it’s vital we harness it.”

He added that the Civic Centre funding is part of a wider package of UK Government investment in Swansea, including a further £20 million through the Pride in Place scheme, as well as commitments to rail improvements and the proposed Swansea Bay Metro.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said the funding represented a major vote of confidence in the city’s wider regeneration plans.

He said: “We want to see the Civic Centre transformed into a high-quality landmark destination for living, working and enjoying, with new homes, independent businesses and leisure spaces that benefit local people while attracting more visitors to Swansea.”

He added that the waterfront site offered “one of the most spectacular locations in the UK” and said the investment would help the project move forward more quickly.

Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales, said the funding would help unlock the full potential of the site.

She said: “This investment will help deliver ambitious plans for the Civic Centre and transform this part of the city, making the most of its spectacular location and strengthening Swansea as a destination for visitors.”

The redevelopment also forms part of a broader wave of regeneration across the city, linking the waterfront site with ongoing changes in the city centre and beyond.

If delivered, the scheme could provide a significant boost to the local economy, with estimates suggesting it could generate around £17 million a year and support more than 300 jobs across hospitality, retail, leisure and building management, alongside additional roles linked to the proposed aquarium.

While key details — including timelines for construction and how the scheme will be delivered — are still to be confirmed, a planning application is expected later this year as proposals continue to be developed.

The funding itself remains subject to final approvals, but the announcement marks the clearest sign yet that the recently revealed plans are now moving from ambition towards delivery.

And coming just days after the issue was put firmly back in the spotlight, it suggests momentum around Swansea’s Civic Centre is building fast.

Swansea neighbourhood handed £20m boost as MP urges residents to shape decade of investment

The funding, confirmed today, will focus on the communities north of Swansea railway station — stretching through High Street, Brynmelyn, Waun Wen, North Hill and Hafod. The area, used daily by thousands travelling in and out of the city, has long been identified as one of Swansea’s most overlooked corridors.

MP: ‘This area is too often forgotten’

Torsten Bell, MP for Swansea West, welcomed the announcement and said the decade‑long investment must be shaped by the people who live there. He has launched a public survey asking residents to set the priorities for the scheme.

“Swansea is making real progress,” he said. “Our city centre is seeing landmarks renewed and new buildings open, from the Albert Hall to the new Y Storfa. And today’s confirmation of £20m investment in the neighbourhoods north of the train station will make sure an area, that thousands travel through every day but is too often forgotten, is part of this progress.”

He said the funding would “make a real difference” and urged residents to take part in the consultation.

What the money will target

The £20m comes from the Pride in Place programme — a £180m, 10‑year regeneration fund for communities across Wales. The scheme is designed to give local people a direct say in tackling issues that have blighted their neighbourhoods, from run‑down high streets to graffiti, vandalism and the loss of community facilities.

Alongside the main investment, Swansea will also receive a share of £34.5m in capital funding to improve public spaces across the city. That includes repairing broken bus shelters, reopening park toilets and upgrading other neglected infrastructure.

Residents asked to set priorities

The MP’s survey — available on his website — asks people to identify the problems they want fixed first. Early suggestions include improving lighting and safety on key walking routes, restoring community buildings, and tackling long‑standing fly‑tipping hotspots.

The funding will be rolled out over the next decade, with decisions expected to be made in phases.

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Llanelli handed £20m lifeline as decade‑long regeneration drive targets town’s most deprived communities

Tyisha, Glanymor and Llanelli town centre will share the cash over the next decade in what ministers say is a bid to “rebuild community pride” and help neighbourhoods that have been left behind.

The area — home to nearly 14,000 people — ranks among the 20% most deprived in Wales, with Tyisha 1 listed as the sixth most deprived neighbourhood in Wales for community safety. Deprivation is also high across income, employment, health and education.

‘People here have been ignored for too long’

Dame Nia Griffith, MP for Llanelli, said: “I am pleased to have been able to secure this additional £20m of long‑term investment for Llanelli which these communities can now use to address issues that they raise with me day‑in, day‑out.

“It will be for the people who live there to decide how this money will be spent, based on what they feel is most important — whether it be improving the places that their families live, work and grow up in, supporting better local facilities and community organisations, helping people access skills and training or making our streets safer, cleaner and more welcoming.”

She said residents had been “overlooked for far too long” and needed a fair deal that reflected their priorities, not someone else’s.

New Neighbourhood Board to take control

A new Neighbourhood Board will now be created to oversee the project. It will include Carmarthenshire Council representatives, Dame Nia Griffith, local residents, community leaders and businesses.

Griffith urged people to get involved. “I can’t stress enough how important it will be for everyone living and working in these areas — as well as the wider Llanelli community who want to help revive our town centre — to make their voices heard over the next few months,” she said.

“I will be insisting residents are involved in the decision‑making process throughout so that it properly reflects their needs and delivers the improvements and the fair deal they rightfully deserve.”

Crime, deprivation and a town centre in decline

The targeted area includes Tyisha, the core of Glanymor and Llanelli town centre — a stretch long associated with anti‑social behaviour, empty units and stalled regeneration schemes.

Officials say the town centre remains the “functional economic area” for the wider community, linking key regeneration sites including the route to Pentre Awel via Llanelli railway station.

The funding is expected to focus on community safety, cleaner streets, better facilities, skills and training, and support for local organisations — but the final priorities will be set by residents.

Part of a wider regional funding battle

The £20m for Llanelli comes from the UK Government’s Pride in Place scheme — a nationwide programme aimed at reviving struggling neighbourhoods and restoring pride in local communities. But across South West Wales, the rollout has already sparked fierce debate over how the money should be carved up and who gets to decide where it goes.

In Neath Port Talbot, councillors have backed a decade‑long regeneration plan for the Upper Afan Valley, while Carmarthenshire’s allocation has triggered political clashes over transparency and control. Swansea MPs have also warned that Pride in Place funding must be shaped by residents, not handed down from above, with calls for open decision‑making and clear priorities.

Against that backdrop, Llanelli’s £20m package becomes the latest test of whether the decade‑long programme can deliver real change — and whether local people will genuinely be put in charge.

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Opinion | Torsten Bell MP: How Swansea should spend its Pride in Place funding

By Torsten Bell MP

It’s my job to stand up for every corner of our city. To make sure no part of it gets forgotten.

A huge highlight of last year was the news in September that the UK Labour Government had selected Swansea as one of the only places in Wales to receive over £20m of investment as part of the Pride in Place programme. This is grassroots funding to renew high streets and strengthen communities. This is how we turn the page after years of decline, practical action to back local communities and restore neighbourhoods that have too often been left behind.

We all feel proud of where we live, whichever part of Swansea it is. But some parts of the city have too often been forgotten. So today I am calling for this investment to be focused on exactly such a place – an area that is the gateway to our city.

Swansea has seen real progress in recent years in renewing our city centre. Everyone can see it being revitalised, with the opening of the arena and the new Y Storfa. These new buildings sit alongside the renewal of historic landmarks, stretching up to the Palace Theatre. But the high street continues further north than the Palace Theatre, connecting into neighbourhoods including Brynmelyn, Waun Wen, North Hill and Hafod. We all know more needs to be done to ensure regeneration and support reaches here. After all, this area is home to around 10,000 residents who too often tell me they have felt forgotten. Thousands more pass through it every day on their commute. And for many visitors arriving by train or road, it forms their very first impression of Swansea. We can do more to make sure it is the best impression possible.

There are positives to build on. These are strong communities with brilliant people, deep roots and a real sense of pride. I heard all this and more in the Brynmelyn Community Centre at one of my regular coffee mornings. We’ve already seen encouraging progress, including the renovation of local housing. But anyone who knows the area will also recognise that there is more to do – from improving public spaces and safety, to supporting local businesses, better configuring the road network and creating streets people feel proud to call home.

Pride in Place funding is made for exactly this kind of challenge. It’s about boosting areas that haven’t had the investment they deserve, and using that support to spark wider renewal. That’s why I’m calling for the Pride in Place investment to be focused on the city gateway – alongside significant investment from Swansea Council in better housing, community connection and transport services – as the vital next step in Swansea’s regeneration.

What matters just as much as where the money is invested is how it is used. Once a neighbourhood is chosen, local people will play a key role in shaping the plans, ensuring investment reflects the needs, ideas and ambitions of the community itself. I’ll be organising events to discuss ideas for what the right priorities should be.

My view is clear. If we want this funding to deliver real change, restore confidence and show what a Labour government means in practice, then the communities of upper Swansea city is the right place to start. It’s our chance to show that no part of Swansea can be written off – and that with the right support, every community can move forward with pride.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Swansea Bay News.

Upper Afan Valley lined up for £20m boost as council backs decade-long regeneration bid

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet has backed the Upper Afan Valley as the single community to put forward for the UK Government’s Pride in Place Programme — a decade‑long investment scheme targeting the UK’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

The decision follows months of analysis comparing deprivation, crime, health, education and access to services across the county. Officers say the Upper Afan Valley stood out as the area facing the deepest and most persistent deprivation, with one local zone ranked among the 15 most deprived in Wales.

A valley hit by long-term decline

The Upper Afan Valley area put forward by the council covers Cymer, Croeserw and Gwynfi, along with the smaller communities that make up the wider valley. Together they form a single, connected neighbourhood identified as having the highest concentration of deprivation anywhere in Neath Port Talbot.

The council report paints a bleak picture. Parts of the valley have been classed as suffering “deep‑rooted deprivation” for almost two decades, appearing in the 50 most deprived communities in Wales in every official index since 2005. Jobs are scarce, health outcomes are poor and access to services is limited. Officers say the area has also missed out on other major regeneration schemes, leaving it with fewer chances to attract investment than other parts of the county.

Although the population falls slightly below the UK Government’s preferred size for the programme, the council argues the level of need is so severe that the Upper Afan Valley remains the strongest and most justified choice.

Three contenders — but only one could win

Under the rules, Neath Port Talbot can nominate only one neighbourhood for the £20 million fund. Officers examined the Upper Afan Valley alongside Sandfields and Aberavon, and Briton Ferry West and Neath East. Both of the urban areas have larger populations and stronger links to Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, giving them more immediate opportunities to draw in other funding.

But the council’s independent review found that the Upper Afan Valley’s deprivation was more severe, more entrenched and more concentrated than anywhere else in the county. It also noted that, because the valley’s population is smaller, the investment per head would be far higher — giving residents a better chance of seeing visible, long‑lasting change.

“An optimistic sign of investment”

Cllr Jeremy Hurley, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said:

“If approved by UK Government, this money for the Upper Afan Valley is an optimistic sign of investment in what is – on average – the most deprived area in Neath Port Talbot.

“I hope the UK Government approves our recommendation so that the community can benefit.”

What the £20 million could deliver

If the bid is approved, the Upper Afan Valley would receive one of the largest single‑neighbourhood regeneration packages ever directed at a community in Neath Port Talbot. The funding would be spread over ten years and could support improvements to public spaces, upgrades to community facilities, investment in local assets and projects tackling health, employment and education inequalities.

A new Neighbourhood Board, led by an independent chair, would be created to oversee the plan and ensure residents shape the priorities.

A tight deadline — and a big decision ahead

The council must now secure letters of endorsement from local MPs and MSs before submitting its formal proposal to UK Government ministers. The deadline is 9 January 2026, with decisions expected later in the year.

If approved, the Upper Afan Valley would become the focus of a decade‑long regeneration effort aimed at reversing decades of decline and giving one of Wales’s most disadvantaged communities a long‑awaited boost.

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‘Constitutional outrage’: Senedd Labour revolt over funding bypass
Senior MSs criticise the UK Government’s approach to distributing regeneration money.

“Constitutional outrage”: Lee Waters and Mike Hedges join Senedd Labour revolt over UK Government funding bypass

Two prominent South West Wales politicians — Llanelli MS Lee Waters and Swansea East MS Mike Hedges — have joined a growing rebellion inside Welsh Labour over UK Government funding decisions that bypass the Senedd.

In a strongly worded letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, signed by over a third of Labour Members of the Senedd, the group accuses Westminster of using Tory-era powers to override devolved responsibilities — calling it “deeply insensitive” and “a constitutional outrage.”

“Why is Whitehall deciding where to fix bus shelters in Wales?”

At the heart of the row is the Pride in Place programme, a UK Government initiative that funds local regeneration projects — including bins, toilets and bus shelters — directly through councils, without going through the Welsh Government.

The letter slams the use of the UK Internal Market Act 2020, originally passed by the Conservatives, to impose funding decisions in areas like regeneration that are fully devolved.

“Why is the UK Government directly funding Welsh Councils to fix bus shelters, reopen park toilets, and provide bins?” the letter asks.

“For our own Government to then come in and use the very same powers to act in devolved areas is at best deeply insensitive, at worst a constitutional outrage.”

Politics News

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Local voices speak out

Lee Waters, a former Welsh Government cabinet member, and Mike Hedges, one of the longest-serving MSs in the Senedd, are among 11 signatories demanding that Wales be treated as an equal part of the UK.

The group warns that the current approach undermines the Welsh Government’s authority and risks wasting public money by duplicating existing programmes.

“If this was being done by a Tory Government, we would be calling for a judicial review,” they write.

Pressure mounts on Starmer to act

The letter calls on the Prime Minister to recommit to devolving powers over rail infrastructure, policing, justice and the Crown Estate — pledges made in opposition but not yet delivered in government.

That last demand is particularly sensitive. Welsh Labour has long backed the devolution of the Crown Estate, arguing that profits from Welsh land and seabed should benefit Wales directly. But earlier this year, UK Labour ministers rejected a Commons amendment that would have transferred control, sparking anger among Senedd members and comparisons with Scotland, where the Crown Estate is already devolved.

With Llanelli MS Lee Waters and Swansea East veteran Mike Hedges among the signatories, the row has brought the issue home to South West Wales. Both have warned that bypassing the Welsh Government on regeneration projects undermines devolution and risks wasting public money.

The pressure is now firmly on Downing Street to respond — and to show whether Labour in power will deliver the reforms it promised in opposition, or face growing unrest from its own ranks in Wales.

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Clash over £20m Carmarthenshire ‘Pride of Place’ funding

The county is set to receive up to £20 million over the next decade as part of the UK Government’s Pride of Place programme, which will channel £214 million into Wales to support high streets, community facilities and regeneration projects.

Labour: “Real money for real communities”

Cllr Cundy, leader of the Labour opposition group on Carmarthenshire Council, said the funding equated to £100 per resident over ten years and represented a major boost after years of austerity.

“This is fair and transparent — real money for real communities, funding that can revitalise high streets, improve local facilities, and support both rural villages and town centres,” he said.

He accused Plaid Cymru of “choosing grievance over growth”:

“Instead of welcoming help for Welsh people, Plaid prefer to complain. After more than a decade in charge of Carmarthenshire, Plaid Cymru seem quicker to complain than to deliver.”

Cllr Cundy stressed that it would be for the Plaid‑led administration to decide which areas benefit:

“Within the rules of the scheme, they have the chance to prioritise deprived villages, struggling town centres, or regeneration hotspots. If impoverished rural areas are left behind, that will be the result of Plaid’s choices locally — not Labour’s investment nationally.”

He added:

“Carmarthenshire alone will receive around £2 million a year, equal to £10 for every resident. Labour’s priority is simple: uniting Wales through investment, not playing politics with people’s futures. Because as the saying goes: you can’t spend a grievance in the corner shop — but you can spend £2 million a year improving Carmarthenshire.”

Plaid: “Disregard for rural communities”

But council leader Darren Price has joined fellow Plaid leaders from Ceredigion, Gwynedd and Anglesey in criticising the scheme’s design.

In their joint statement, they said:

“Any funding for communities across Wales is welcome, but it is clear this does not stem from an understanding of Wales’ needs. It is a political panic button pushed by Labour ahead of a difficult election.”

They argued that targeting investment zones of around 10,000 people would disadvantage rural areas:

“This Pride in Place programme specifically targets neighbourhoods with populations of around 10,000, of which there are only a handful in the four western local authorities we control. This approach highlights the Labour Government’s continued disregard for our rural communities that have been disproportionately underfunded over the years.”

The Plaid leaders added:

“The people of Wales can see through this. Labour has deserted its values and turned its back on promises to deliver fair funding for Welsh communities.”

Political stakes

The clash reflects wider tensions between Labour and Plaid over how regeneration money is distributed. Labour points to what it calls the “biggest Welsh Government budget settlement ever” and insists the Pride of Place scheme is about fairness and delivery. Plaid counters that the funding model is urban‑centric, leaving smaller villages at risk of being overlooked.

With Carmarthenshire Council responsible for drawing up the shortlist of communities, and the UK Government holding the final sign‑off, both parties are already positioning themselves to claim credit — or deflect blame — once the allocations are announced.

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‘Transformational for our communities’: South West Wales MPs react to £214m Pride in Place funding

While Labour MPs hailed the investment as “transformational” and a “once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity”, opposition councillors in Bridgend voiced frustration that their county had received far less than neighbouring areas.

Swansea

Torsten Bell, MP for Swansea West, said:

“We have won something rare – a massive, over £20 million, long‑term investment in Swansea. This is our chance for people to get involved in improving our city, from regenerating our city centre to boosting all our high streets.”

Tonia Antoniazzi, MP for Gower, added:

“Local people know their area better than anyone else and that is why the government has decided to do this differently. This is our chance to improve our area by making the big decisions for ourselves.”

Council leader Rob Stewart also welcomed the funding, describing it as “great to see this investment coming to Swansea” and urging that Wales must not be left worse off after Brexit.

Neath Port Talbot

Stephen Kinnock, MP for Aberafan Maesteg, said the £20m for Neath Port Talbot was:

“A once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to invest in our communities. It will be up to all of us to decide how exactly this money is spent – not politicians in London, but local residents, right here in Aberafan Maesteg.”

Carmarthenshire

Dame Nia Griffith, MP for Llanelli, welcomed the £20m for Carmarthenshire, saying:

“This £20 million of new funding will change lives over the next decade and be spent where local people need it most. Local people know their area better than anyone else and that is why the UK Labour Government has decided to do this differently.”

Pembrokeshire

Henry Tuffnell, MP for Mid & South Pembrokeshire, highlighted the £1.5m allocation as:

“A valuable boost for regenerating our local areas, and I’ll be working with Pembrokeshire County Council to make sure that money is used in the best way possible for our community.”

Bridgend

Chris Elmore, MP for Bridgend, announced:

“£3 million from the UK Labour Government for our communities – and you get to help decide how it’s spent. This is a huge opportunity to shape the future of Bridgend and Porthcawl together.”

But the award has drawn criticism locally.

Independent councillor Steven Bletsoe said:

“£3m is very welcome investment into our town centres and that money needs to be wisely spent. But how on earth are we getting eight times less than Aberavon and Maesteg? I simply cannot comprehend this.”

A spokesperson for the Bridgend Independent Group added:

“Of course we welcome an additional £3m but once again Bridgend gets treated less favourably than our neighbours. Maybe our MP should spend less time having photos taken and more time fighting for his constituency.”

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South West Wales to share in £214m Pride in Place investment for local projects

Swansea is set to receive £20 million over the next decade as part of a new UK Government programme that puts local people in charge of how money is spent on their communities.

The Pride in Place fund, announced today by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will see nine areas across Wales each receive up to £20m, alongside a further £34.5m shared between every local authority in the country.

Swansea: £20m over ten years

Swansea is one of the areas chosen for the full £20m allocation. Local MP Tonia Antoniazzi said the funding – £2m a year for ten years – was a “massive investment” that would be decided by residents themselves.

“Local people know their area better than anyone else and that is why the government has decided to do this differently,” she said. “This is our chance to improve our area by making the big decisions for ourselves – not by letting other people make decisions for us.”

A local board will be set up to coordinate the project, with residents invited to submit ideas ranging from park improvements to bringing empty buildings back into use.

Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire also in line for £20m

Neighbouring Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire are also among the nine areas selected for the full £20m allocation.

Stephen Kinnock, MP for Aberafan Maesteg, said the £20m for Neath Port Talbot was “a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity” and stressed:

“It will be up to all of us to decide how exactly this money is spent – not politicians in London, but local residents, right here in Aberafan Maesteg.”

Dame Nia Griffith, MP for Llanelli, welcomed the £20m for Carmarthenshire, saying:

“This £20 million of new funding will change lives over the next decade and be spent where local people need it most. Local people know their area better than anyone else and that is why the UK Labour Government has decided to do this differently.”

Bridgend: £3m as ‘most in need’

Bridgend Council will receive £3m from the Pride in Place Impact Fund – double the £1.5m given to most other authorities – after being identified as the local authority most in need.

Pembrokeshire: £1.5m

Pembrokeshire will receive £1.5m from the same impact fund, earmarked for improvements to public spaces such as bus shelters, park toilets, bins and leisure centres.

Henry Tuffnell, MP for Mid & South Pembrokeshire, highlighted the £1.5m allocation as:

“A valuable boost for regenerating our local areas, and I’ll be working with Pembrokeshire County Council to make sure that money is used in the best way possible for our community.”

💷 Pride in Place funding – South West Wales

• Swansea: £20m (main fund) + £1.5m (impact fund) = £21.5m
• Neath Port Talbot: £20m (main fund) + £1.5m (impact fund) = £21.5m
• Carmarthenshire: £20m (main fund) + £1.5m (impact fund) = £21.5m
• Bridgend: £3m (impact fund – identified as most in need)
• Pembrokeshire: £1.5m (impact fund)

Total new investment across these five counties: £69m

UK Government: ‘Communities in control’

The UK Government says the programme is about giving local people the power to decide how money is spent.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“This is a huge investment, but what matters most is who decides how it’s spent: the neighbours, volunteers and parents who know their communities best.”

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens added:

“More than £200 million of new investment will see improvements made to communities up and down Wales making them even greater places to live and work.”

Wider context

The Pride in Place programme builds on previous regeneration schemes, taking total UK Government funding for Welsh communities to more than £300m. It will run alongside Welsh Government initiatives such as Transforming Towns and Placemaking.

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Labour’s New 'Pride in Place' Initiative to Boost Deprived Communities with Funding and Powers for Local Groups

Sir Keir Starmer is set to unveil a new initiative called the 'Pride in Place' programme, aimed at revitalizing over 330 disadvantaged communities across the UK. The programme will provide local groups with new powers to regenerate high streets, including the ability to seize boarded-up shops, rescu... [More info]