ON THE anniversary of the tragic death of Cerys Yemm, the Argoed community has pulled together, the Caerphilly town mayor has said.

Today marked a year since Ms Yemm, who was aged 22, was found dead at the Sirhowy Arms in Argoed after she was attacked by Matthew Williams.

Mr Williams, who was aged 34 and was staying at the hotel, died at the scene after being Tasered by police.

Cllr Leon Gardiner, who represents the Argoed ward, said that since the death of Ms Yemm the community has pulled together and was now carrying on as normal.

He added that they were still unsure of what the future held for the Sirhowy Arms, where the incident took place, and whether it would be knocked down or sold off.

“It’s a terribly sad thing that happened but we seem to be managing,” he said.

“The town is moving along as normal at the moment.”

It comes after a campaign was launched to demolish the hotel, with Islwyn MP Chris Evans writing to the First Minister backing the campaign.

The petition said The Sirhowy Arms “is a constant reminder to me, my family and the local community of the event” that has “ripped the soul out of our family and affected a whole host of people”.

After the campaign was launched Mandy Miles, the owner of the hotel, said that she would be demolishing the hotel as she realised how ‘distressed’ it made the family of Ms Yemm.

Yesterday she said it was still for sale and that a number of people were interested in the site.

In an effort to keep Ms Yemm's memory alive, an eight-person residents’ committee in Argoed has come together with her mother, Paula, and two close friends of the family, Kenet Simmonds and Sharon Nash-Upton, to form the Justice for Cerys charity.

The committee hopes to raise £30,000 to pay for a barrister for the inquest into Ms Yemm's death and to get the charity off the ground.

The charity will aim to help young people with mental issues, particularly those aged between 14 and 16, and plans to tour local schools in the area.

Cllr Gardiner added: “There’s a group of people trying to get the village together and I wish them all the best.”

Inquest dates are yet to be set for both Miss Yemm and Mr Williams.