A TEMPORARY hospital renamed after the symbol of hope has been lit up in rainbow colours.

Work has started on transforming Llandudno's Venue Cymru into a hospital to help deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

The building has been renamed Ysbyty Enfys Llandudno, meaning Rainbow Hospital Llandudno.

North Wales Chronicle:

The coloured lights shine out from Venue Cymru. Pictures: Steve Cridge and Azz Lennox

A spokesperson for the venue said: "Venue Cymru technicians have lit the front of the building in symbolic rainbow colours.

"We hope it sends out a message of hope to the county, its residents, and our wider communities.

"The lights will remain on for the duration of Ysbyty Enfys Llandudno."

Venue Cymru is one of three sites that has been handed over to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to provide a combined 1,000 additional beds to help meet increased demand over the coming weeks and months. Other sites include Bangor University and Deeside Leisure Centre.

The hospitals are expected to be ready and providing care to patients by the end of April .

Cllr Sam Rowlands, leader of Conwy County Borough Council, said: “The contractors are on site at Venue Cymru on behalf of the health board to make the space suitable.

“It is a good central North Wales location. It is a building which is owned by the residents of Conwy.

“The rainbows have been a theme throughout the pandemic. My children have been painting rainbows – it is a promise of better things to come.

“The Queen had a strong message in her speech on Sunday – ‘We will meet again’ she said. That has been a real inspiration, the message of hope and better times will return.”

“I’d like to say thank you to all of our staff for the amount of effort and work they have put in.

"A lot happens behind the scenes that people don’t see.”