LLANDEILO Primary School pupils sang their hearts out at a special performance in the Royal Albert Hall.

The school was the only one in Wales chosen to take part in the 1,200 pupil choir with the Armonico Consort Academy in Around the World in 18 Tunes.

The 30 children who took part had to learn 18 songs and chants in many different languages.

Karen Johns, head teacher of Llandeilo Primary School, said: "The day was a huge success, a day that no-one will ever forget. Feedback from the event has been remark- able, with parents, local and from wider communities all saying how much they enjoyed the concert."

A LLANELLI mum is giving pop stardom another shot — under the same management as chart sensation Justin Timberlake.

Full story — page 20

WINGED wonders the Red Arrows will swoop and spin over Swansea Bay this summer.

The crack RAF aerial acrobats have confirmed they will be performing at the Wales National Air Show on the weekend of July 13 and 14.

You will be able to catch the drama from the seafront, Townhill, Kilvey Hill, Mumbles and SA1.

And you won't have to pay a penny.

It is the third Wales National Air Show, organised by Swansea Council, since 2009.

And businesses along the prom have given the Red Arrows confirmation the thumbs-up.

"It will be excellent," said Carla Tonkin, the owner of Poet's Corner pub on Oystermouth Road.

"It's always a good atmosphere for the air shows, and there will be lots of families about."

Christine Blackburn, who runs the Lock Up Bar and Bistro, Glamorgan Street, said she felt more use of the "barren" beach should be made, especially for educational and cultural events.

"Doing anything on the beach is a good idea," she said.

The air show used to be called the Welsh Festival of the Air. In 2007 it featured a Eurofighter Typhoon, whose jet engines left spectators' ears ringing for days.

In 2009, the renamed show featured a Battle of Britain memorial flight.

Who can forget the velvety roar of the Lancaster bomber, Hurricane and Spitfire?

The free air show forms part of the annual Swansea Bay Festival.

The council will announce other aircraft and entertainment for this summer's show in the coming months.

Land-based displays will also take place.

Swansea councillor Nick Bradley, cabinet member for regeneration, hailed the air show's "spectacular" successes.

He said: "Events of this nature are terrific news for Swansea, not just because they show our city is more than capable of hosting major events, but also because the huge numbers of visitors benefit local businesses."

DAN Biggar today committed to a fresh three-year contract with the Ospreys — a deal that amounts to a massive statement of intent from the Pro12 champions and a huge tonic for Welsh rugby.

At a time of major uncertainty in the game in Wales, with Jamie Roberts and Dan Lydiate leaving this summer and George North being targeted by Northampton, Biggar has bucked the trend by signing on at the Liberty until the end of the 2015-16 season.

The arrangement ends months of speculation over whether he would leave the regional scene.

It also underlines the Ospreys' determination to stay competitive in European and Pro12 rugby.

Biggar said: "This is an organisation that has always been very good to me and supported me, so it's great that I can recognise that by committing my future to them.

"It's always nice to get things sorted. And now I've signed it means I can concentrate on the next few weeks and helping the team to secure a play-off place without any distractions."

Losing Biggar would have been an incalculable blow to the Ospreys, not least because they have nurtured him since he was a teenager and invested an immense amount of time, money and faith in his development.

He is also still only 23.

It is one thing to wave goodbye to Shane Williams at the age of 35 and Marty Holah when he was 34; quite another to contemplating saying farewell to a home-grown youngster with his best years in front of him.

"My aim is to be competing for trophies with the Ospreys every year," said Biggar.

"I've discussed this at length with the coaches and management here, I've made that ambition absolutely clear, and I wouldn't have committed for the next three years if they didn't share those aims. We know how difficult it is, with the salary cap and things like that, but that doesn't mean we can't continue to be successful.

"I'm excited about what we can potentially achieve as a group."

On his deal, he added: "The Ospreys wanted to keep me and I wanted to stay, so it's always been a case of agreeing on a few things. It's not just financial.

"This is a great environment with fantastic facilities and great coaches. It brings the best out of you as a player and I consider myself fortunate to have come through this system to represent my home region. That's very important, as you have to be happy in your environment, wherever you are."

Evidently, the Ospreys have reaped reward for sticking by Biggar during tougher times for the current Wales fly-half. They had that much confidence in him they installed him as their first-choice No. 10 at the age of 19, with James Hook switching to inside centre.

With Kahn Fotuali'i leaving, they would not have wanted to suffer another major loss, particularly of a player who has rattled up more than 1,200 points for them.

"It's a huge statement from the business and credit needs to go those involved who have worked extremely hard to put the business where we are, enabling us to keep such a prime, young local talent," said rugby operations manager Andy Lloyd.

"Daniel is an Osprey through and through, but he is also a born competitor so it's understandable that he didn't just jump in and sign as although we are his home region he wanted to make sure that we shared the ambitions. He epitomises everything we want in an Osprey."

Ospreys' chief operations officer Andrew Hore called Biggar's decision to re-commit "fantastic news", adding: "It's important if we truly want to represent the local community that we have young, local talent like Dan wearing the shirt so that children can aspire to follow in their footsteps.

"However, we mustn't take our ability to keep local players here for granted. We need to continue growing our support base, we need bums on seats, people watching their region, as without increased funding we face the risk of losing players like Dan in the future."

CHICO Flores is winning his race to return to action when Swansea City host Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

The centre-back has not played since damaging ankle ligaments in the win over Queens Park Rangers back on February 9.

But Swansea are optimistic that Flores will be available for the Spurs clash after he returned to full training this week.

And that will be a welcome boost for boss Michael Laudrup as he looks for a response after back-to-back defeats.

Garry Monk — like Ki Sung-Yueng in the Capital One Cup final — has done a solid job at the heart of Swansea's defence during Flores's injury lay-off.

But the £2 million former Real Mallorca man is Laudrup's preferred option alongside Ashley Williams and he has enjoyed a fine debut season in the Premier League.

Flores's probable return is a timely boost after defeats by West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal.

Swansea will look to bounce back with a victory against a Tottenham side who have also suffered successive league defeats.

Before losing to Liverpool and Fulham, Andre Villas-Boas's men had been in sensational form, having lost only one of their previous 16 league games.

Swansea, meanwhile, could be poised to sign former Manchester United starlet Kenji Gorre.

The 18-year-old Dutch-born winger has been training with Swansea since last week and featured for Kristian O'Leary's under-21 side as they won at Bristol City on Monday. Gorre, the son of former Huddersfield and Barnsley defender Dean, had been at Old Trafford since switching from neighbours Manchester City back in 2002 but was released by the club during the January transfer window.

He was so highly rated as a 15-year-old that Chelsea were interested in signing him, but Gorre stayed on at United.

He has now severed his ties, though, and it seems there is a strong possibility that he will pen a deal at Swansea when he officially becomes a free agent at the end of the season. Gorre has played for United reserves as well as their under-18s, and he has also represented Holland at under-16 level.

He had a spell on trial at Celtic last month, but could now be given the chance to continue his development at the Liberty Stadium.

Gorre's Surinam-born father played in Holland for the likes of Feyenoord, Groningen and Ajax before switching to English football in 1999 when he signed for Huddersfield.

He is now a coach who, after spells with Stoke, Southampton and Ajax, is now working in the Scottish national youth set-up.

Swansea's development side saw off Bristol City despite going 2-0 down early on. Goals from Kurtis March and Rory Donnelly brought O'Leary's men level before the break and a second-half strike from Josh Sheehan sealed the victory.

Gareth Vincent

A BABY taken ill in a Carmarthen shopping centre has died.

Paramedics were called to the Next store in St Catherine's Walk just after 7.30am on Saturday.

It is understood the mother and her infant had visited the shop, which had opened early for a sale.

They had left the store but returned shortly after and paramedics were called. The baby was rushed to Carmarthen's Glangwili Hospital.

Despite desperate attempts to save its life the baby died.

Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Mike Pugh, centre manager at St Catherine's Walk, said: "The lady had been shopping in Next and had left the centre and had walked as far as the electrical shop opposite Coral.

"The baby fell ill or became distressed, and she rushed back to Next because it was early in the morning and there were not many people about.

"The Next staff responded brilliantly and the paramedics were on the scene very quickly."

A spokeswoman for Next said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this very sad time."

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "Paramedics in an emergency ambulance attended the incident shortly after 7.30am on Saturday morning and took the patient to Glangwili Hospital."

A spokeswoman for Dyfed- Powys Police said: "Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of an infant in Carmarthen early on Saturday morning.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious.

"The family have asked that they be left alone to grieve in private."

A NEW father has been jailed after stealing from shops in Swansea to feed and clothe himself while on bail.

Malcolm John Hall, of Bronwydd in Birchgrove, was handed a custodial sentence of two months at Swansea Magistrates Court after admitting stealing fragrances from Debenhams in Swansea.

The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to stealing five items of fragrance from the shop in Swansea's Quadrant Shopping Centre on Wednesday, March 20.

The court heard Hall had appeared before Magistrates in Swansea in regard to that offence and was subsequently released on bail on Thursday, March 21.

Sharon Anderson, prosecuting, told the court Hall then re-offended by going into the British Heart Foundation shop on Oxford Street in Swansea two days later and stole a fleece jumper.

Bail conditions from original offence also included a ban from Swansea city centre.

Craig Harding, defending, told magistrates the defendant accepts he is no stranger to the courts in relation to thefts and other offences.

Mr Harding said: "The main driver for his previous convictions was quite a serious heroin addiction but he is no longer a heroin addict.

"He made steps some two years ago to rid himself of his addiction.

"He had some success early on and he tells me he hasn't used any illicit substances for 12 months."

Hall underwent a drugs test by South Wales Police following the latest offence and tested negative for opiates and cocaine. Mr Harding said: "Five weeks ago his benefits were stopped entirely.

"Mr Hall has been without money whatsoever for five weeks and he has been living with his mother.

"These offences have been committed to feed and clothe himself.

"The fragrances would have been stolen in order to buy food.

"While not excusable, it goes some way to explaining his actions."

The court heard Hall's partner is supportive of him and recently gave birth to the couple's first child.

Mr Harding added: "Mr Hall has been referred to Neath Port Talbot Council and is due to start work in April as a refuse collector."

Hall's appearance at magistrates court on Monday this week was the 35th time he had appeared for a theft offence.

Magistrates chairman Anthony Davies sentenced him to 13 weeks in prison for each of the two offences in a jail term to run consecutively.

Mr Davies said: "We found only custody could be considered for your previous record of appalling offending."

Hall was ordered to serve half his sentence in prison and half out on licence.

MEASLES is out of control in Swansea and putting every baby in the area at risk.

Health chiefs say the situation is deteriorating week by week, with numbers doubling in the last three weeks and 51 people hospitalised — many of them infants.

And with 8,000 children in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board area not protected by the MMR jab, huge efforts are being made to reduce the figure.

The school health nursing service has run MMR sessions for susceptible children but that is being halted as, with 110 schools having one or more cases of measles, it cannot be contained.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board public health director Sara Hayes said 432 cases had been reported as of Monday this week — up from just over 20 on March 4.

"It is out of control and increasing week by week. We have more than 400 cases, mostly from Swansea but some from Neath Port Talbot and a few from Bridgend," she said.

"We have had more than 50 people hospitalised, many of them babies."

Children need two MMR jabs, one at just over the age of one and one shortly after they turn three. After the first they are 90 per cent immune, with the second jab providing 99 per cent immunity.

To protect babies aged one and under there needs to be what is known as herd immunity, where there is sufficient protection among the wider population.

To achieve herd immunity, there needs to be 95 per cent take-up of MMR, while the ABMU area has managed to achieve only a 75 per cent take-up.

As well as putting information on the internet, ABMU is asking GPs to check their records and letters will be sent to the parents or guardian of every child who is not had one or both jabs.

Health visitors are making contact with susceptible families. Midwives are also advising pregnant mums to have any other children in the household immunised.

Dr Hayes said: "It is a horrible disease. It can cause long-term deafness and blindness, encephalitis, and you can be left with learning disabilities.

"It can cause pneumonia, and children end up on ventilators. The big worry is that it can cause death."

Dr Hayes said there was an outbreak in Ireland a few years back, with 1,500 cases and three deaths.

"Our number is getting close to that level," she added.

"The one thing is that it seems to be affecting school-age children. Because they are slightly older maybe that has protected us from an adverse outcome. But it could happen any time."

A MAN who was unhappy with the service he received in a city centre massage parlour assaulted a police officer twice as he was escorted outside.

Rahman Mustafaye said he had paid a woman inside the Top Class massage parlour on High Street £40 to have sex with him, but an argument broke out between the pair after she accused him of harassing her.

The woman asked him to leave the bedroom but he refused, so she called police.

Prosecutor Julie Sullivan told city magistrates PC Andrew Randell arrived at the premises at 2.30am on New Year's Day.

As the officer asked Mustafaye, of no fixed address, for his details, he shouted abuse at the officer.

Mustafaye, 27, then punched PC Randell to the side of his face and kicked his shin. As the officer tried to arrest him, Mustafaye struggled with him and he tried to butt the officer.

PC Randell and another officers tried to restrain him but they managed to take him to the floor.

He received a bloody nose and he tried to spit blood at the officers as they arrested him.

When officers tried to put him into a police van, a second assault took place against the same officer. He kicked out and struck the officer in his upper thigh.

During the drive to the police station, he continued to kick out inside the van.

PC Randell was left with a swollen bruised cheek as well as a swollen shin.

Mustafaye, who admitted two charges of assaulting a police officer, had drunk half a bottle of whisky on the night of the offence.

City magistrates ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Probation officer Kerry Williams said: "The defendant said he refused to leave the premises due to the fact that he hadn't had sex with the woman, unless she gave him back the money or she had sex with him.

"When she refused, he phoned the police," said Miss Williams.

"The defendant tells me he tried explaining what had happened but says the police were laughing at him," she added.

Rachel Elimelech, for Mustafaye, said her client worked in an egg factory in Bishopston.

She said: "The incident was exacerbated because his glasses were knocked off his face and he couldn't see. He says he became increasingly agitated and disorientated and struggled with the officers."

She said her client, who came to the UK as an asylum seeker and was currently in the process of applying for further leave to stay in the country, had no previous convictions. She said his actions were out of character.

Magistrates sentenced him to a community order of 12 months, told him to complete 120 hours of unpaid work as well as £250 of costs as well as £200 compensation to the officer.

A MILLION pound winning lottery syndicate in Swansea is celebrating taking home the mammoth jackpot.

A syndicate of 16 workers at the city's DVLA has won the Euromillions Millionaire Raffle.

The DVLA staff's big win echoes the storyline in current prime-time BBC drama The Syndicate.

The series, by award-winning writer Kay Mellor, stars Alison Steadman, Siobhan Finneran and Mark Addy and follows the rags to riches story of a group of hospital workers who strike it lucky and land a £72million lottery win.

However, reports that members of the group have been battling it out over the winnings in the same way they are in the TV show have been denied.

It is understood that the syndicate is made up of 16 workers but that three could miss out altogether on £62,500 each because they allegedly failed to pay towards the winning ticket.

One DVLA worker, who did not wish to be named, said: "Each has won more than £62,000 each between 16 people."

Other workers at the DVLA said they wished they had been as lucky and walked away with the major jackpot.

One worker added: "I did hear about the Lottery win, but they work in a different section to me.

"It would be nice to win the lottery."

It is understood that the winners work in the D3 section of the DVLA, which employs around 5,000 people at its sites in Clase and the Swansea Vale.

A number of people have scooped the lottery across South West Wales.

They include former Asda worker Sandra Fosbrooke, of Five Roads, and her former partner Ken Henry who shared a £12.8 million lottery win back in 2005.

The couple, who separated last year, enjoyed a glamorous lifestyle together before they took over the running of the village pub, The Stag.

Neath lottery winner and cage fighter Gavin Davies, won £1 million on the EuroMillions draw and bought a Lamborghini,

But last year he was hauled before the courts, and jailed for 16 months last July after admitting a three-hour attack on his girlfriend. Davies went before the court again a few months later for possessing cannabis.

A 16-week sentence was imposed on him by Llanelli Magistrates, which was to run concurrently with the sentence from Swansea Crown Court.

And earlier this month Carol and Tommy Lisk, from Loughor, were popping the champagne corks after winning a £3million lottery fortune.

The couple plan to finally have a honeymoon — to coincide with their 50th anniversary — as they couldn't afford it when the tied the knot in 1963.

TWO people have been killed after the car they were travelling in left the road and crashed into a tree in Pontardawe.
The accident happened at around 7pm last night on the A474 Neath Road, Fforest Goch.
A police spokesman said the silver Renault Clio vehicle left the road and hit a tree.
Two people were declared dead at the scene and a third person was taken to Morriston Hospital for treatment.
The condition of that person is not immediately known.
A police family liaison officer has been appointed and is supporting the families of the dead people. The police spokesman said the coroner has been informed.
Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the South Wales Police Roads Policing Unit at on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

I WOULDN'T take too much notice of the comments Chris Coleman made about his Wales future after Tuesday's defeat to Croatia.

The national team boss hinted that he may not remain in charge beyond the final four World Cup qualification games.

People are always emotional immediately after the final whistle, especially after watching your side surrender the lead to lose in the closing minutes.

As regular readers of this column know, I will never criticise anyone for moving on if a better or more lucrative opportunity presents itself.

At the end of the day, Chris Coleman must do what's best for Chris Coleman. I have no problem with that.

But I hope he does stick around for a while longer yet.

Wales finally seem to be getting their act together again after the huge upheaval following Gary Speed's tragic death.

It takes time for a new manager to get his ideas across and for a team to settle into a particular way of doing things.

Wales now look to be gaining that stability if the last two results are anything to go by.

The result and performance against Scotland were excellent, while Wales were desperately unlucky to lose when Croatia visited the Liberty two days ago.

We have long known that Wales have a promising crop of young players coming through.

Hopefully they will soon deliver the big prize of qualification.

If Chris were to go, we'd be back to square one.

MASSADIO Haidara insists he will return stronger following the Callum McManaman incident.

Newcastle United defender Haidara could be back in action within a week after emerging relatively unscathed from the ugly lunge by McManaman (inset) when the Toon lost at Wigan before the international break.

And the 20-year-old Frenchman, who only arrived in the Premier League in January, is confident he will make a positive comeback.

"They say what doesn't destroy you can make you stronger. That's true," Haidara said. "It is going to be difficult for me to start with when I return.

"But I have learned a lot from this.

"I am learning more about the English game and it is a great education for me."

There had been fears that Haidara had suffered a serious knee injury in the McManaman challenge, but he escaped with heavy bruising.

GLAMORGAN'S bowlers braved icy conditions and snow flurries to enjoy plenty of success on the opening day of their two-day friendly against Gloucestershire at the Swalec Stadium.

The West Country side were reduced to 193-7 at the close following some disciplined bowling from the home attack.

Gloucestershire made a decent start through openers Chris Dent and Dan Housego, but a breakthrough just before lunch for seamer John Glover prompted a mini collapse that saw five wickets fall for 32 runs either side of lunch.

Jim Allenby, Mike Reed and a brace for Graham Wagg helped reduce the visitors to 113-5 before Gloucestershire started to consolidate.

Cameron Herring, who was playing club cricket for Pontarddulais last season, was trapped in front by spinner Dean Cosker before the experienced left-armer struck to bowl Hamish Marshall for 45. Regular flurries of snow eventually saw the umpires abandon play for the day just before the scheduled close.

A NUMBER of open competitions are to be run by the Gower Rockhoppers Sea Angling Club over the next few months.

April 21: Ginst Point, fishing 10am-3pm, meet 8.30am at Ginst Point.

May 19: Cefn Sidan, fishing 9.30am-2.30pm, meet 8am in Pembrey Country Park.

June 16: Llangennith Beach, fishing 9.30am-2.30pm, meet 8am at Hillend campsite.

July 21: Swansea Breakwater, fishing 3.30pm-8.30pm, meet 1.30pm at McDonald's SA1. The reserve venue is Swansea Beach.

August 4: Swansea Breakwater, fishing 3.30pm-8.30pm, meet 1.30pm at McDonald's SA1. The reserve venue is again Swansea Beach.

September 15: Llangennith Beach, fishing 10.30am-3.30pm, meet 9am at Hillend campsite.

There are prizes for the longest single fish and the longest overall length.

The competition is catch and release, pegged, three hooks, minimum size 4, minimum fish size 20cm. Penn points are available.

FISHING has been very tough at the Shimano Fishery this last week, with heavy rain, freezing temperatures and strong east winds not the best combination for a day's fly fishing.

Anglers who have braved the conditions have had to work very hard for their fish and some anglers failing to even get a take.

The lake is still holding a little colour and should be clear by early week.

There is an excellent head of fish in the lake at the moment and as soon as this weather breaks some excellent fish will be taken.

There are 14 doubles in the lake with browns, blues, sandy-bows and rainbows up to 15lb.

Mark Thomas landed three fish from the finger, all taken on B & G Montana for a total weight of 17lb.

Robert Morris fished the bay to take three good fish for 18lb 12oz, with a best fish a sandy-bow of 8lb 2oz.

Dean King fished Montana to take three fish for 16lb 6oz, while, Mike Davis fished mini cat to take four for 24lb 12oz.

Shane Williams landed four fish for 26lb, with a best of 8lb 7oz — all were taken on mini cat.

Peter Croft fished black nomad to take three very good fish for 18lb 9oz.

Lots of anglers struggled with the biting wind and rod rings freezing up, while some anglers were hit by fish getting snapped off with the ice cutting the leader.

This is the time of year we should be thinking of putting the lures away, but the way it's going we will be using them for a while to come.

The next week is still set to be cold and the winds will be from the east, the dreaded beast from the east. So wrap up well when coming fishing and, most important, make sure you have eye protection.

At Papermill Fishery, too, summer still seems a long way off. Most of the week anglers have had to put up with bitterly cold easterly winds.

P. Mac, who braved the cold conditions, was rewarded with a superb 7lb 12oz rainbow caught on a white fritz. Another great catch went to John Lloyd, who caught a 7lb rainbow on the worm.

Fly: Peter Jones, 3 fish, 9lb 12oz, caught on a black and green montana; Wayne Evans, 3 fish, 9lb 6oz, on a damsel; Simon Walters, 3 fish, 9lb 3oz, on a green fritz.

Worm: David Williams, 3 fish, 9lb 4oz; Ben Davies, 3 fish, 9lb; Craig Daniels, 3 fish, 8lb 11oz.

At White Springs Fishery, the weather has been putting the fish off the feed on the canals and pleasure lakes.

The match on the old lake on Sunday was difficult in the extreme conditions, but this didn't stop the die-hard anglers, and the weighing in was very tense, with just 4oz separating the top two bags.

Alan Goodrich came first with 25lb 12oz and Llew Spinks was second with 25lb 8oz.

The pit and the pleasure lakes have been fishing reasonably well, with carp to around 10lb coming out.

Fourteen-year-old Ethan Phillips caught a pretty mirror at 9lb 8oz on boilies from the pit.

Despite the cold weather the specimen lake has seen the odd fish coming out, with six over 20lb gracing the banks.

Martin Matthews from Carmarthen had five carp, the best 25lb, from Meg's Corner, while Barry Nicks from Bedlinog caught two 20-pounders, the first a 23lb 2oz common at 7am and then during the night at 2am a 21lb 8oz leather off peg 6 on Cell boilies with banana-flavoured Corder pop-ups.

Stephen Thomas from Glynneath caught a 18lb mirror carp off the old cabin, but the catch of the week must go to Jeff Adams from Crickhowell.

His mate Tony Peak persuaded him to come carp fishing for the very first time and Jeff the novice showed Tony how it is done by landing his first ever carp, a 22lb mirror off peg 2.

DAI Greene will head out to the sunshine state of Florida next month as he continues his build-up towards the defence of his World Championship crown in Moscow later this year.

Together with his coach Malcolm Arnold, the Llanelli 400m hurdler will spend a month of warm weather training in the States where the pair will map out Greene's race schedule for the forthcoming outdoor season.

"I hope to compete in some of the early Diamond League meetings, but it will only be during April that we'll decide whether to start out in May or a little bit later in June," said the Swansea Harrier, who claimed a stunning 2011 world title in Daegu, South Korea.

"The European Team Championships in June are another target. This year they take place in Britain (Gateshead). Having won the 400m hurdles three times before, I'll be definitely out to win it for a fourth time in a row.

"Yet the main priority remains the World Championships in Moscow.

"I've not allowed too many thoughts to creep in about the event just yet as we are still four to five months away from it starting."

Writing in his diary for the official IAAF website, Greene says he has put his London 2012 Olympic disappointment firmly behind him and feels as strong as he has ever done at this stage of the year.

"The winter has gone very well," added Greene.

"I've never trained at such a volume and I've only missed one's week training, which was back in January and was due to a sore hip.

"Compare that with last year, when I had a knee operation, missed three weeks in the autumn, and when I did finally get back, I couldn't put in the work that I wanted to for the summer season.

"Let's just say that I've never felt this strong or this good at this stage of the season before.

"The pain and disappointment of 2012 is now behind me and I'm feeling like a normal, healthy athlete again, which is very exciting."

MICHAEL Laudrup reckons Swansea City must start thinking bigger than the first XI when they head into the Europa League next season.

Laudrup has made it clear he does not want a bumper squad even though Swansea are preparing to do battle on four fronts next term.

But the Swansea manager believes a change of mentality will be required if the club are to have another successful campaign.

"You can't talk about 11 players and then the rest," Laudrup said.

"You have to think of the players as a group because it is impossible to have 22 starting players. With the big clubs you don't talk about a starting XI and the reserves, and that's how we will have to work here next season."

Swansea know they will face at least one Europa League qualifying round in August, and there may be two to negotiate depending on who wins the FA Cup.

Should they progress, they will go into the pool stage, meaning six more European fixtures are guaranteed.

"If we can get through to the group then we will have a lot more games and you can't start talking about starting XIs then," Laudrup added.

"We will be changing, like we did for the two months in December and January when we had a lot of games this season. There will always be some key players — not because they have a name, but because of their performances."

Laudrup has once again stated that he will not stockpile players.

"Even in the period where we played every three days this season, there were still two or three players who never played and I don't like that," he said.

"It's uncomfortable for all of us only to have players who come in for training."

A CARMARTHENSHIRE county councillor is facing ten charges in front of city magistrates.

Sian Caiach, 55, of Trimsaran Road, Llanelli, faces four charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Caiach represents the Hengoed ward on Carmarthenshire Council and is a member of Llanelli Rural Council.

The four charges allege that between July 1 and August 14, 2012, she caused unnecessary suffering to sheep by failing to provide adequate care for them.

She also faces two charges of failing to take steps to ensure the needs of the animals she was responsible for were met.

Those charges relate to dates between July 1 and August 22.

Caiach, who did not attend the hearing at Swansea Magistrates' Court, also faces two charges of not securely storing animal carcasses on two separate dates in August and September and another two of failing to comply with an animal by-product requirement in that she failed to dispose of a carcass in accordance with EU regulations on the same two dates in August and September.

The case was adjourned until April 9.

EXIT signs? They're on the way out, jokes the comedian Tim Vine. Or, if you prefer in Welsh rugby, just follow Jamie Roberts, Dan Lydiate, Owen Williams and possibly George North.

But not Dan Biggar.

While Roberts, Lydiate and Williams will be playing away from the regional scene next term, with North mulling over whether to join them, Biggar yesterday chose a different path when he committed to the Ospreys for another three years.

It was as close to being the best news Welsh rugby could have expected at the end of a week when pretty much everyone this side of the Severn Bridge has had a say about the departure of players from the regions.

Biggar is the current Wales fly-half. He has a steely nerve and he is only 23. If you wanted someone to kick a goal to save your life, he wouldn't be the worst bloke to have alongside you.

Pressured

Last year against Leinster in the Pro12 final he faced one of the most pressured kicks imaginable, with time running out against the European champions.

Biggar slotted it from the touchline and the Ospreys won the game.

If he had wanted he could have joined the mini-exodus that is taking place.

Racing Metro made an enquiry about him last year, and the probability is a lot of other Top 14 clubs would have been interested had he not made it obvious he wanted to stay with the Ospreys.

His decision has raised some eyebrows because the regions are supposed to be in crisis, with limited funds compared to their main rivals.

In short, one building is reckoned to be burning and there's another across the road with lights on looking welcoming. Why on earth wouldn't you head across the road faster than a speeding bullet?

Biggar explained: "A lot of factors persuaded me to sign a new contract.

"A key thing was that the Ospreys have been extremely good to me, looking after me not just during the good times when you don't need looking after, but also when times are rough and things are not going your way.

"The region have stuck by me, giving me a lot of support and showing me loyalty.

"In some respects it doesn't matter it's my home region and where I live. It's the way they've treated me.

"A big debt is owed.

"Money is hugely important, but once the Ospreys said they were keen on giving me a new deal it was about working as hard as possible to get it done here, rather than playing them off against anyone else.

"I'm just glad I've been able to show some loyalty."

Biggar continued: "We are under no illusions that we can compete financially with clubs like Toulouse, Clermont Auvergne and Toulon. But the way we have developed players and are looking to keep hold of players — in particular, keep our pack intact — counts for a lot.

"As much money as Toulon, Clermont and others have, I think you'll struggle to find a better pack in world rugby than ours at the minute, and it's important we keep that intact.

"I would not have signed the contract if I didn't believe we'd challenge for trophies. That's what rugby is all about. There's no point playing for a team if you are not challenging for trophies."

In the press release that announced Biggar's decision to sign a fresh contract, rugby operations manager Andy Lloyd called the fly-half an "Osprey through and through". It isn't hard to see why. He fits the environment and clearly relishes being part of the set-up.

Wales is hugely important to him, but Biggar is in no doubt about his week-to-week priorities. Being available for every Wales training session and game wasn't the main reason why he stayed put.

"I'm signing for the Ospreys, not for the WRU," he said. "The Ospreys are the ones who are paying my wages, so it's important that I'm committed to them.

"The plus side is that it does make things easier if you're selected for a Welsh squad, with the extra international in the autumn and being able to train for the full time before get-togethers.

"A little bit of that made it easier to stay, but the main decision wasn't made just because it would make things easier to play for Wales. It was made because I wanted to play for the Ospreys and stay here.

"A lot of players think of their clubs as almost a stepping stone to Wales, just killing time between Six Nations and autumn periods, but I think it's hugely important that players think of the regions as their first port of call and whatever comes off the back of regional performances to be a huge bonus.

"Staying in Wales has its advantages for the national set-up, but the first port of call has to be playing well for your region and being proud to put on your regional shirt. We need more of that in the game."

Those few sentences are as overdue as any uttered in Welsh rugby in recent times.

Nonetheless, while Biggar's renewed commitment to the Ospreys is a boost for the game in Wales, it doesn't solve everything, not when North is mulling over a move away and the regions continue to operate in a glacial financial climate.

The Professional Rugby Game Board was set up amid much fanfare to improve the outlook for the professional game in Wales.

Four months on, it is safe to say the new body probably hasn't called for fresh supplies of midnight oil, with only one meeting completed to date.

Ospreys chief operations officer Andrew Hore said: "The public would be right to ask questions why we aren't meeting.

"At the Ospreys we are here and available and wanting to meet to resolve these situations.

"We have been positive and upbeat about the formation of the PRGB and the positive impact it can have, but we need to ensure it is not just a talking shop that can't instigate change.

"I am positive about the future of Welsh rugby if we can get together a group who can confront the part of the platform that is on fire.

"There are so many issues to be addressed, and if they can be there is no reason why the sport can't be vibrant.

"Regional rugby hasn't been a failure. It has brought trophies and increased the amount of people in our stadiums.

"But we have to build on what we have achieved and make sure things are not eroded, because the foundations are creaking and under stress.

"We need these healthy debates, but they are not being had at the moment."