THE Port of Milford Haven has revealed itself as the buyer of a former shipbreakers' yard, sold last month.

Last night, the Port said it had completed the acquisition of the 12.5 acre Ward's Yard site at Castle Pill, which had been due to go to under the hammer in early December.

The site had been up for auction with a guide price of £200,000, but was sold beforehand to a 'mystery buyer'.

Although there are no immediate development plans for the site, the Port said it was" keen to ensure it is protected for future investment and development", potentially offering an "exciting extension" of the Port's £70m Milford Waterfront plans.

Alec Don, chief executive at the Port, said: “The Port of Milford Haven has the capability and the ambition to reinvest along the waterway and we are always looking for both short and long-term opportunities.

"We have a lot happening right now, of course, as the exciting ongoing work to develop Milford Waterfront gains momentum.

"To date the Port has already invested substantially in new lock gates and fishing infrastructure as well as in enhancements to the retail, food and beverage offer already available at Milford Waterfront as a well established waterfront destination.

"A number of planning applications have been submitted recently and the Port is looking forward to an exciting 2017 with more development initiatives in the pipeline.”