Community groups in Newborough are working with environmental officials to help preserve a craft dating back hundreds of years.

Marram grass growing is collected from the local nature reserve by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and donated to the Llyn Parc Mawr community group.

They're working alongside Ynys Môn Outdoor Learning Wales to hold a series of public workshops, teaching how the grass is used for weaving to create mats, bowls, containers, brushes and baskets.

Some of the group's work is also featuring in a new exhibition.

Dee Walker from Ynys Môn Outdoor Learning Wales said: "Holding workshops and spreading this knowledge is a way to understand and take part in this craft while connecting with and appreciating the local history of Newborough."

“I think it is important to celebrate this history and keep the traditions alive and I am glad we have been able to work with NRW on this.”

It's not known when the use of marram grass began, having also been used as a natural material for roofing and animal bedding.

But it's thought crafting items out of the marram was already taking place in the 17th century, when some restrictions on collection were imposed by Queen Elizabeth I to prevent manorial lands being consumed by sands.

But the cottage industry remained a major part of Newborough's village life for over 300 years, with the weavers producing haystack covers, mats, ropes, nets, brooms and baskets for both domestic uses and in the farming, fishing and mining industries.

The grass was traditionally collected using a small-handled sickle with two-year old grass considered the most suitable to use for manufacturing.

It grows on mobile sand in dense and spiky tufts and its roots help trap sand and build the dunes at Newborough, allowing them to develop and become home to other species such as sand lizard and a range of specialist insects.

Today, the grass used in the workshops is collected under a special licence from NRW with all conservation measures being followed.

Graham Williams from NRW's land management team in the North West, said: "The collecting of marram for this project continues the long tradition of utilising the grass for commercial mat and rope making, something that was an integral part of the fabric of the community."

“We are delighted to have been able to work with these two groups on this project to help preserve this traditional skill which is such an important part of the village’s history.”

The Sands of LIFE project, an EU-funded initiative managed by NRW, has also supported the reprint of a bilingual booklet, The Marram Weavers of Newborough by author Robert Williams, which provides details and historic photos of the weavers and their products.

Copies of the booklet are available to loan at libraries across Anglesey and on sale from NRW’s Maes y Ffynnon office in Bangor.

Some of the items crafted from marram grass by the Outdoor Learning Wales group can be seen as part of the Basketry: Rescuing, Reviving and Retaining exhibition at Ruthin Craft Centre, which runs until mid-January.