A FORMER Welsh government minister has become patron of the Crickhowell-based Tools For Self Reliance group.

Jane Davidson, who was Minister for Environment and Sustainability in Wales until 2011, is currently the director of the Institute for Sustainable Practice, Innovation and Resource Efficiency at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

The group, which collects old and unwanted hand tools and cleans, repairs and sharpens them to be sent as tool kits to grass roots community groups in several African countries, is delighted with Ms Davidson's decision to become its patron alongside existing Tanzanian patron Dr William Shija.

A spokesman said, "Like us, Jane is passionate about the environment and has been given a number of accolades for her work.

"In the 'Independent on Sunday' she was the third most influential environmentalist in the UK in 2009, and has been voted number one and two in 2009 and 2010 for her work on waste in Resource magazine.

"This has seen Wales come from behind the rest of the UK to be the lead recycling country in Britain.

"Our group, TFSR Cymru, is also a small part of that recycling effort. In addition we have also helped some of the most disadvantaged people in Tanzania with our recycling work here in Wales since 1983."

Ms Davidson said: "Sustainability needs to be at the heart of how we do business. We cannot continue to use more resources than our one planet can support."