North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin joined PC Jake Robbins of the neighbourhood policing team for a tour of key areas including Abergele Road, the Bay View Shopping Centre, Sea View Road, Station Road and Penrhyn Road. The visit brought into focus several ongoing concerns raised by residents and businesses.

Chief among them were shoplifting, anti-social behaviour (ASB) and street drinking, which continue to be cited as key issues affecting confidence in the town centre. While officers pointed to recent reductions in crime, they also acknowledged that these problems still shape public perception and day-to-day experiences in Colwyn Bay.

A key part of the discussion centred on the renewed Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) covering the town centre, the Dingle and the Donkey Path. These measures are designed to give police additional powers to deal with persistent ASB, but their effectiveness relies heavily on reporting and enforcement.

That theme—reporting—came up repeatedly. Local representatives stressed that underreporting remains a barrier, with concerns that some incidents are not being formally logged, limiting the ability of police to target resources effectively.

There were also more immediate environmental and safety concerns raised around Station Road, particularly linked to the newly relaunched Station Road Market. While the market is seen as a positive step in boosting footfall and supporting independent traders, issues were highlighted around parking in pedestrian zones and instances of reckless driving in the area.

County Councillor Chris Hughes said improved engagement between police, the council and the community was starting to show results, particularly through local action panels and street surgeries. He pointed to increased visible policing in estates and town centre areas, saying this had helped reduce problems over time, while still urging residents to report incidents consistently.

Alongside enforcement and safety concerns, the visit also touched on regeneration and community confidence. Independent businesses such as Ink Art Gallery and Lounge and the forthcoming Graff Caff were highlighted as examples of growing creative and commercial activity in the town centre—though their success is closely tied to perceptions of safety and accessibility.

For the policing teams involved, the message from the visit was clear: partnership working is making a difference, but sustained reporting from the public and continued visible policing will be crucial if Colwyn Bay is to fully address issues around ASB, retail crime and town centre behaviour.

The college marked the achievement this week with its first-ever end-of-year awards ceremony for Junior Apprenticeships, bringing together students, families and tutors to celebrate a year of progress, practical learning and new opportunities.

Principal Paul Flanagan presented certificates to each learner, commending their commitment and performance throughout the programme, which blends core academic subjects such as maths and English with hands-on training in construction and mixed trades.

The initiative also gives learners the chance to work in industry-standard workshops while still in school, helping them build confidence, develop practical skills and explore potential career pathways in construction and related industries.

Among those celebrating were Carwynn, Luke, Jordan, Noah and Cheski, who will return to Coleg Llandrillo in September to continue their studies on full-time courses. Rhys and Frankie are now preparing to take the next step into industry employment.

For many of the learners, the experience has been transformative.

“I’ve learnt so many new skills,” said Cheski. “It’s addictive doing construction. I want to do more of it! I’ve applied to come back and do plumbing and electrical next year.”

Jordan added: “This has opened up a lot of opportunities for me. I now know what I want to do in the future, and I’m looking forward to coming back to college to do bricklaying full-time.”

Principal Paul Flanagan said the programme plays a key role in helping young people prepare for future careers in skilled industries.

“These awards highlight the importance and impact of our Junior Apprenticeship programme for learners and their families,” he said. “We are proud to be providing these learners with the opportunity to build a strong foundation here at Coleg Llandrillo, enabling them to progress to full-time study and train for professional careers, ultimately becoming the skilled workforce of the future.

“Today was a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate the hard work and success of our Junior Apprenticeship learners in front of their families and tutors. I would also like to thank our dedicated staff, whose support and commitment make these achievements possible.”

The college is also encouraging more young people in Years 10 and 11 across Conwy and Denbighshire to consider future Junior Apprenticeship opportunities, with schools able to provide further information to interested pupils and parents.

The latest graduates have been congratulated on their achievements as they take their next steps towards further study and employment, marking another milestone for the growing programme at Coleg Llandrillo.

Royal composer Paul Mealor is backing the prestigious Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition and telling talented youngsters not to miss out on a “glorious opportunity”.

The competition returns for a third time at the North Wales International Music Festival at St Asaph Cathedral.

The winner will receive a £2,000 cash prize, a silver trophy and a shot at performing on a world-class stage. There is a second prize of £1,000 and the two runners up will each receive £500.

Prof Mealor, the festival’s Artistic Director, said the contest offers a rare platform for under-21s to perform, gain expert feedback and be broadcast live on BBC Radio Cymru.

It’s been made possible by support from the owners of the Pendine Park care organisation, Mario Kreft MBE and his wife Gill, via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust which they set up to support community and arts activities.

As part of their 40^th anniversary celebrations, Pendine has also announced they will continue to back the competition for the next five years.

Prof Mealor said: "The Pendine Young Musician of Wales is a unique opportunity for young musicians born or living in Wales to showcase their talents at the North Wales International Music Festival and perform in one of the greatest acoustics in Wales, St Asaph Cathedral and at Tŷ Pawb in Wrexham.

"The competition is open to all musicians who were born or who are living in Wales or who are Welsh nationals studying abroad.

"We are a fully inclusive competition and positively welcome applications from musicians with apparent and non-apparent disabilities."

Mario Kreft MBE of the Pendine Arts and Community Trust said: "The past two competitions have been truly memorable and we are delighted to be part of this exciting competition.

"It is a wonderful opportunity for a young musician to perform in the cathedral at St Asaph. It has a fantastic atmosphere and the most wonderful acoustics.

“The knowledgeable and appreciative audience who enjoy the concerts at the North Wales International Music Festival will simply add to the occasion and I am looking forward to the Grand Final very much indeed.

“Supporting this wonderful competition chimes perfectly with our ethos at Pendine where intergenerational activities and the arts provide a golden thread running through daily life at all our care homes.”

According to Prof Mealor, entries for the competition are now open and the closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday July 31, 2026.

"All musicians must be under the age of 21 on January 1, 2026 to be eligible to compete but there is no minimum age for entry," he said.

He said the idea for the competition came from young performers who have taken part in festival concerts in recent years.

"They realised there was no competition like it and little opportunity for them to perform individually in the cathedral which has the best acoustics for a solo performer.

"I suggested the competition and spoke with Mario Kreft and he loved the idea and came straight onboard. The competition has been staged during the past two festivals and produced some wonderful performances and very worthy winners.

"The first winner was harpist Heledd Wynn Newton from Cardiff who returned last year to perform at the festival. The 2025 winner was pianist Rufus Edwards from Bersham and he has a very bright future ahead of him," he said.

The competition this year will be staged in two sections with entrants asked to submit a video or audio clip of their performance for consideration by the judges.

"The performance can be no longer than five minutes in duration. It may be a performance of a single piece or a movement of a larger work or a short programme of no more than 5 minutes in duration.

“The judges will select four performers and invite them to participate in the live Grand Finale on Wednesday, September 16," Prof Mealor added.

Paul Mealor, who was born in St Asaph and raised in Connah's Quay, took over as Artistic Director of the North Wales International Music Festival from the acclaimed mezzo soprano, Ann Atkinson, in 2024.

He first came to prominence in 2011 when one of his compositions, Ubi Caritas, featured at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

His compositions featured in three of the four national services of thanksgiving for the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.

The following year he was commissioned to create a brand new piece for the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The work, "Coronation Kyrie" was sung by Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel – the first time that the Welsh language was sung at a Coronation. He was appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in the 2024 New Year Honours.

William Mathias, who was Professor of Music at Bangor University, founded the festival at St Asaph Cathedral in 1972 and directed it until his death, aged 57, in 1992. 

As a student Paul Mealor studied with William Mathias and cites him as being the person who inspired his career in music and particularly his love of large scale choral compositions.

Anyone interested in taking part in the Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition is asked to upload a video or audio clip of a five- minute performance – along with their application form and proof of age document – via the Festival’s website at https://nwimf.com.

The North Wales International Music Festival 2026 will be held from September 10-19 at St Asaph Cathedral. Tickets go on sale from Wednesday, June 24.

The challenge took place earlier today, with Alan cycling continuously between the Pier Gates and the Lifeboat Station from 8am until 4pm in support of lifesaving services along the North Wales coastline.

Supporters gathered throughout the day to cheer him on, donate money and show their appreciation for the work carried out by RNLI crews who save lives at sea.

Visitors also had the opportunity to look around the Llandudno Lifeboat Station, which opened to the public from 1pm until 4pm. Members of the visits team were on hand to meet guests and explain more about the charity’s lifesaving work.

The RNLI says the average lifeboat station across Wales, North West England and the Isle of Man costs around £155,000 a year to run, highlighting the importance of community fundraising events such as Alan’s challenge.

Organisers thanked everyone who stopped by during the day and supported both Alan and RNLI Llandudno.

The path to the top job became clear after confirmation that Plaid Cymru’s 43 Members of the Senedd would be backed by the Senedd’s two Green members in the crucial First Minister vote expected to take place as early as Tuesday.

Under the Senedd’s rules, the successful candidate only needs more votes than any rival candidate — not an outright majority of all Members of the Senedd.

That means there is now no mathematical route for opposition parties to block ap Iorwerth from taking office. Even if Reform UK and the Welsh Conservatives combined their votes, they would still fall short.

The result marks a political turning point for Wales and an extraordinary rise for the former journalist from Anglesey who could soon lead the Welsh Government.

Ap Iorwerth currently represents Ynys Môn in the Senedd — a constituency deeply rooted in Welsh language, culture and rural coastal communities. The island seat has long been one of Plaid Cymru’s most symbolic strongholds and has played a major role in shaping his political identity.

He lives on Ynys Môn and was brought up in a strongly Welsh-speaking household. He is the son of the late broadcaster and author Trefor ap Iorwerth, a respected figure in Welsh media and cultural life.

Before entering politics, Rhun ap Iorwerth built a high-profile career as a journalist with BBC Cymru Wales, becoming one of the best-known faces in Welsh broadcasting. His years covering Welsh public life and politics gave him a strong public profile before he entered the Senedd in 2013 following a by-election victory.

Since becoming leader of Plaid Cymru in 2023, he has worked to broaden the party’s appeal beyond its traditional heartlands, focusing heavily on health services, the cost of living, housing and economic growth alongside Welsh language and independence issues.

His first trip back to the Senedd Cymru after Plaid Cymru’s landmark election success is expected to be one of the most significant moments in modern Welsh political history.

For supporters, it represents the culmination of decades of campaigning to place Plaid Cymru at the head of government in Cardiff Bay. For opponents, it signals a major reshaping of Welsh politics after years of Labour dominance.

Scenes at the Senedd are expected to be highly charged as newly elected Members arrive following an election that dramatically altered the political landscape across Wales.

If confirmed as First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth would become the first Plaid Cymru leader to hold the role outright, ushering in a new era for Welsh politics and a profound moment for the party’s supporters across the country.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has confirmed the vessel has been donated to Cranfield University to help train students studying accident investigation on its Fundamentals of Accident Investigation Course.

The Nicola Faith tragedy shocked communities across Conwy County and beyond in January 2021 when the small fishing vessel capsized in rough seas off the North Wales coast.

A major multi-agency search operation was launched after the vessel failed to return to shore. Families, fellow fishermen and local residents anxiously followed updates as lifeboat crews, coastguard teams and rescue helicopters searched the waters in worsening winter conditions.

Days later, the vessel was discovered overturned on the seabed several miles off the coast. Tragically, all three crew members — Ross Ballantine, Alan Minard and Carl McGrath — lost their lives.

The disaster deeply affected coastal communities across North Wales, particularly among fishing and maritime circles where the men were well known and respected. Tributes poured in from across the region, with many describing the loss as heartbreaking for a close-knit community where generations of families have made their living from the sea.

In order to establish exactly what happened, the MAIB carried out an extensive search and recovery operation to salvage the wreckage of the Nicola Faith from the seabed. Investigators then conducted a detailed inspection of the vessel and gathered evidence to determine the circumstances leading to the capsize.

Now, after the completion of the investigation, the vessel is being given a new educational purpose.

The Nicola Faith will be renamed Pisces II and used by Cranfield University to create realistic accident investigation scenarios for trainee investigators. The university will also use factual evidence gathered during the real investigation to help students test their skills in simulated maritime incident inquiries.

Rob Loder, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, said recovering the vessel had been crucial in understanding what happened and identifying lessons that could improve future safety at sea.

He said: “Recovering Nicola Faith enabled the MAIB to conduct a detailed inspection of the vessel and a full investigation into the circumstances that led to its loss.

“The report made recommendations to improve safety and prevent a similar accident from occurring.

“While the circumstances that lead to the MAIB possessing Nicola Faith are deeply tragic, we are pleased to be able to donate it to Cranfield. I hope that it can now be put to further use enhancing future safety by becoming a tool for learning.”

Cranfield University will use the vessel to replace its long-serving training boat Pisces, giving future investigators hands-on experience examining a real-life maritime disaster in the hope of preventing similar tragedies in years to come.

The work starts today and is expected to continue until Tuesday 26 May, with improvements being carried out between Abergele Road and the junction with Beal Avenue.

Contractors working on behalf of Conwy County Borough Council will be on site from 7am until 2am each day. Officials say the noisiest parts of the work will be completed earlier in the evening in an effort to reduce disruption for nearby residents.

Temporary road closures and convoy working will be in place at certain times while the resurfacing is carried out, and parking will not be allowed on affected sections of the road during the project. Pedestrian access will remain open throughout.

The resurfacing process involves removing the existing road surface, adjusting manholes and drainage gullies, cleaning the carriageway, applying a bonding layer, laying the new surface, compacting it with rollers and repainting road markings.

Residents are being warned the work could be noisy and dusty, but the council says the improvements will provide a smoother and quieter road surface with long-term benefits for the community.

Anyone needing further information is being asked to contact the Environment, Roads & Facilities Advice Team by emailing erf@conwy.gov.uk or calling 01492 575337.

Engineers have confirmed progress is continuing following the installation of the large scaffold structure beneath the bridge, known as the Aerotruss, which is allowing workers to safely access key parts of the ageing structure.

As part of the latest phase, work will now take place to secure communication cables running beneath the bridge which provide vital links to Anglesey and Ireland.

Officials say the cables must be secured before wider restoration work can continue, with the work being carried out alongside BT.

A single lane closure will be in place on the bridge between May 13 and May 22 from 10am until 6pm daily, with temporary traffic lights controlling vehicles.

A full closure of the bridge is also planned from 2pm on Friday May 15 until 6pm on Saturday May 16.

Pedestrians and dismounted cyclists will still be able to cross during the closure, while drivers will be diverted via the nearby Britannia Bridge.

The latest works form part of the long-running crisis surrounding the Menai Suspension Bridge, which has faced major structural concerns in recent years.

In October 2022, the bridge was suddenly closed after inspectors identified serious safety issues linked to corroded hangers supporting the structure. The emergency closure caused widespread disruption for residents, businesses and commuters travelling between Anglesey and the mainland, with long delays regularly reported on alternative routes.

Since then, weight restrictions, reduced speed limits and ongoing engineering inspections have remained in place while specialists work to secure the future of one of Wales’ most iconic bridges.

Officials say enforcing the current 7.5 tonne weight restriction remains critical while repairs continue. Any vehicle exceeding the limit requires the bridge to be immediately closed for a full safety inspection.

Drivers are also being reminded to obey speed restrictions to help protect workers currently operating on the bridge.

Authorities say every effort will be made to minimise disruption while the latest essential safety works are completed, thanking the public for their continued patience.

For the first time since devolution began in 1999, Rhun ap Iorwerth and Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the Senedd, with the party securing 43 seats in the newly-expanded 96-member chamber.

The election also saw a major breakthrough for Reform UK, which surged into second place with 34 seats, marking one of the biggest political shake-ups Wales has seen in decades.

Meanwhile, Welsh Labour suffered a devastating collapse, falling to just nine seats — its worst ever Senedd result. First Minister Eluned Morgan also lost her own seat and later announced her resignation as Welsh Labour leader.

Across North Wales, several key constituencies reflected the wider national trend. In Bangor Conwy Môn, Plaid Cymru strengthened its position, while in Clwyd, Reform UK secured three seats, alongside two for Plaid Cymru and one Conservative seat for Darren Millar.

The election was the first to use Wales’ new proportional voting system and an expanded Senedd with 96 members, changes designed to make results more representative across the country. Turnout was reported at just over 51%, the highest in Welsh devolved election history.

Political experts say the result signals a major realignment in Welsh politics, with voters increasingly moving away from the traditional Labour-Conservative dominance seen for generations.

Attention will now turn to coalition talks and negotiations over who will lead the next Welsh Government, with Plaid Cymru expected to begin discussions in the coming days.

The Clwyd result confirms Reform UK as a growing political force in North Wales, with the party emerging ahead of both Labour and the Conservatives in another dramatic shake-up of Welsh politics.

The elected candidates are:

Adrian Mason (Reform UK)
Louise Emery (Reform UK)
Thomas Montgomery (Reform UK)
Becca Martin (Plaid Cymru)
Llyr Gruffydd (Plaid Cymru)
Darren Millar (Conservative)

The result means Reform UK takes half of the available seats in Clwyd, while Plaid Cymru secured two seats and the Conservatives claimed one.

Labour again failed to secure representation in the constituency, adding to mounting evidence of a collapse in support for the party across large parts of Wales.

The declaration follows Plaid Cymru’s strong performance earlier in Bangor Conwy Mon, suggesting North Wales is becoming one of the key battlegrounds in a historic Senedd election night.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth topped the poll as his party secured three of the six available seats in the constituency, underlining the party’s growing momentum in the race to become the largest group in the Senedd.

The confirmed results for Bangor Conwy Mon are:

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru)
Helen Jenner (Reform UK)
Mair Rowlands (Plaid Cymru)
Elfed Williams (Plaid Cymru)
John Clark (Reform UK)
Janet Finch-Saunders (Conservatives)

Plaid Cymru secured 31,057 votes, comfortably ahead of Reform UK on 19,440.

The Conservatives polled 8,555 votes, while Labour suffered another damaging result with just 4,448 votes. The Green Party received 3,101 votes.

The result means Labour failed to win a single seat in the constituency, adding to mounting evidence of a collapse in support for the party across Wales.

For Plaid Cymru, the victory represents a hugely symbolic breakthrough in North Wales, while Reform UK’s strong second-place finish continues the party’s rapid rise in Welsh politics.

The bombshell developments came as results began to emerge from across Wales in the first Senedd election fought under the expanded 96-member parliament system.

Labour’s deputy first minister admitted the party would not lead the next Welsh Government, marking a stunning collapse for a party that has dominated Welsh politics since devolution began in 1999.

Both Reform UK and Plaid Cymru have made major early breakthroughs, winning the first two declared constituencies — Casnewydd Islwyn and Pen-y-Bont Morgannwg — in a fiercely contested race that could reshape the political future of Wales.

Celebrating Reform UK’s success in Casnewydd Islwyn, newly elected MS Dan Thomas described his party as “the people’s army”, as Reform candidates and supporters hailed what could become the party’s biggest electoral breakthrough in Wales.

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru’s Delyth Jewell said the election represented a “battle for Wales’ soul”, adding that voters had clearly demanded change after years of Labour-led government.

The early results point towards a deeply fragmented Senedd, with Plaid Cymru and Reform UK emerging as the dominant challengers while Labour suffers catastrophic losses across large parts of the country.

Turnout also appears set to break records, with early indications suggesting participation could rise above 50% for the first time in a devolved Welsh election — a sign of the enormous public interest in what is rapidly becoming a historic political moment.

Counting is continuing throughout Wales, with the full composition of the next Senedd expected to become clear later this evening.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway has once again teamed up with Dee Valley Tours to bring back “Tren a Thref: The Corwen Heritage Adventure” on Friday, May 29, during the half-term holidays.

The experience combines a heritage train journey through the Dee Valley with a guided walking tour exploring the history, landscapes and legends of Corwen.

Passengers will travel by heritage train from Llangollen to Corwen before joining local guide Louise Scotcher for an expert-led tour around the historic market town.

Louise said the aim of the event is to bring the area’s stories vividly to life.

“Tren a Thref is all about bringing the stories of Corwen to life in a way that’s engaging, accessible and memorable,” she said.

“Combining the railway journey with a guided walk allows visitors to experience the landscape as people would have in the past, while discovering the rich history, characters and legends that make this area so special.

“We’ve been delighted with the response so far and are really looking forward to welcoming more visitors on 29 May.”

Anitka Piatkowska said organisers were thrilled to see the experience returning after its successful launch earlier this year.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing Tren a Thref back following such a positive response from visitors,” she said.

“It’s a fantastic way to showcase not only the heritage railway itself, but also the wider Dee Valley and the historic town of Corwen.

“Working in partnership with Dee Valley Tours allows us to offer something truly special that combines travel, history and outstanding scenery in one experience.”

Previous visitors praised the event for its storytelling, scenery and local knowledge.

One visitor described it as “a lovely day out”, adding: “Many thanks to Louise who was a brilliant, and very friendly, tour guide. She has encyclopaedic knowledge of the area and its history. I learned more about Owain Glyndŵr today than I ever did in school.

“The highlight for me was the walk up to Pen y Pigyn overlooking Corwen. Thoroughly recommended.”

The event includes an all-day ranger ticket from Llangollen to Corwen, departing at 10am, a guided walking tour from Corwen Railway Station, and return train journeys later in the day. Visitors can also choose to take part in an additional walk up Pen y Pigyn for panoramic views across the valley.

Adult tickets cost £30, while tickets for children aged three to 15 are priced at £6. Children under three can attend free of charge.

Acclaimed writer Patience Agbabi has released her new young-adult verse novel Wonderland on May 14, inspired in part by her own experiences growing up on the North Wales coast during the 1980s, when Northern Soul collided with the Mod Revival scene.

Set in Colwyn Bay in 1980, Wonderland follows 16-year-old Tamilola, who moves from London to North Wales and struggles to fit in before discovering a Northern Soul club at the end of the pier.

Agbabi says the novel is deeply personal and rooted in memories of nights spent dancing on Colwyn Bay Pier, where live 2 Tone bands, soul records and youth subcultures mixed together.

“I grew up on Colwyn Bay Pier, dancing to Northern Soul and live 2 Tone bands,” she said. “When it was demolished in 2018, I was devastated and wanted to bring it back to its heyday.”

The author described the scene as a place where music crossed social boundaries and brought together young people from different backgrounds and styles.

Wonderland captures the atmosphere of a changing seaside town where mods, soul fans and other youth “tribes” found common ground through music, fashion and nightlife.

Agbabi, who was born in London in 1965 to Nigerian parents and fostered by a white English family, spent much of her teenage years in North Wales. She later studied English Language and Literature at Pembroke College before gaining an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Sussex.

Known for blending literature and performance, Agbabi’s work explores identity, race, gender and belonging, often drawing on influences ranging from rap and disco to traditional English poetry.

In Wonderland, Tamilola finds herself immersed in the energy of the Northern Soul scene while tensions simmer with a rival nightclub.

The novel has already attracted praise from leading writers.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the former UK Children’s Laureate, described it simply as: “Do I Love It? Indeed I Do!”

Writer Luke Palmer called the book “a note perfect homage to time and place”, while Jasbinder Bilan praised its “booming heartbeat of Welsh Northern Soul”.

Publisher Penny Thomas of Firefly press said: “Patience is an outstanding poet and storyteller and has captured an essence of youth culture in this energetic new novel of time and place. We’re delighted to be publishing Wonderland as part of our Firefly Modern Wales series.”

Agbabi’s previous children’s novel, The Infinite, won Wales Book of the Year for children’s fiction in 2021.

With Wonderland, she hopes to preserve a vivid snapshot of North Wales youth culture and the soundtrack that united a generation on the pier at Colwyn Bay.

Voters across North Wales joined millions of people nationwide in casting ballots in an election that will reshape the Welsh Parliament for the first time in its history, with major changes to how people vote, how seats are allocated and even who is allowed to take part in the democratic process.

Counting centres across Wales are now preparing for the next stage of the process, but unlike a UK General Election, the votes themselves will not be counted overnight.

Instead, ballot boxes are being transported to count venues where verification checks may begin to ensure all ballot papers are properly accounted for before official counting starts on Friday morning.

Under guidance from Wales’ Electoral Management Board, all Senedd election counts will begin between 9am and 11am on Friday. Because this election is using an entirely new voting system and larger constituencies, officials expect the process to take longer than previous Welsh elections.

The first declarations are expected around lunchtime on Friday, while political experts believe a clearer national picture may begin to emerge later in the afternoon. It could be late afternoon or early evening before it becomes clearer which party — or possible coalition of parties — is on course to form the next Welsh Government.

This election marks the first time the Senedd has operated under a completely redesigned electoral system.

Instead of the previous arrangement of 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs), Wales will now elect 96 politicians to Cardiff Bay. The increase was introduced to strengthen scrutiny within the Welsh Parliament as its powers and responsibilities have grown significantly since devolution.

The old Additional Member System — where voters chose both a constituency candidate and a regional party list — has now been scrapped.

In its place is a new proportional “closed list” system. Voters now cast a single vote for a political party or independent candidate, rather than an individual constituency representative. Seats are then allocated proportionally using the D’Hondt formula.

The changes also mean Wales has been politically redrawn.

The previous 40 constituencies have been replaced by 16 larger “super constituencies”, each electing six Members of the Senedd.

For North Wales, that means major changes to the electoral map. New constituencies now include Bangor Conwy Môn, Clwyd, Fflint Wrecsam and Gwynedd Maldwyn — combining communities that were previously represented separately.

The reshaped boundaries mean votes from coastal towns, rural communities and major population centres across North Wales are now grouped together in far larger electoral areas than ever before.

Another historic feature of this election is that 16 and 17-year-olds have been able to vote in a Senedd election for the first time.

The change was introduced as part of wider democratic reforms aimed at encouraging greater participation among younger people in Wales. Schools, colleges and youth organisations across North Wales have spent months promoting voter registration and helping first-time voters understand the new system.

The expansion of the Senedd and introduction of proportional representation is designed to make election results more reflective of how people vote across Wales overall, rather than producing a system dominated by constituency winners alone.

With 96 seats now available, a party would need 49 seats for an outright majority in the new-look Senedd.

Political analysts say the reforms could produce a very different political landscape in Wales — particularly in North Wales, where the larger constituencies and proportional voting system may lead to more varied representation than under the previous model.

For now though, attention turns from polling stations to count centres, with Wales set to spend Friday watching one of the most important and transformative elections in the country’s modern political history unfold.

Bayside will have updates throughout Friday with a special hour long programme with political pundits Taffy and Kai on the outcome for North Wales and the country in general.

Listen live from 6pm on DAB Digital Radio, Smart Speaker or online. The episode is also available on catch up later on Friday evening.