Pembrokeshire is missing out on vital culture cash which is being spent in neighbouring counties instead.

The county council has not got a Cultural Strategy, which means that it is unable to apply for funding from the Arts Council of Wales. Last year Carmarthenshire County Council had a budget of £57.7 million to spend on culture, environment and planning whereas Pembrokeshire has just £19.7 million – half the amount per person.

Ashley Calvert, manager of The Queen's Hall in Narberth, is determined this should change.

"As I run a small community venue it is vitally important for me, the people of Narberth, the community of Pembrokeshire and visitors to the county that we offer the best venue and the best artistic variety that we can," he said.

"As I understand it, Pembrokeshire is the only county in the whole of the UK that does not have a strategy and as such it directly affects how the county can culturally enrich its residents.

"We have been told for the past five years that the council is working on a strategy, but that is not good enough, we need to see one as soon as possible."

Mr Calvert has outlined his concerns to Paul Davies, AM for Preseli Pembrokeshire and the shadow spokesman for culture in the Welsh Assembly.

"I am concerned to hear about this apparent discrepancy and have written to the council asking them to clarify exactly when this strategy will be in place," he said.