Neither the firm behind the UK's largest opencast mine nor the council will appear at an inquiry.

An inquiry into the controversy surrounding the UK’s largest opencast coalmine will not hear from the company or council involved.

Merthyr Tydfil council refused a request to appear before Members of the Senedd on the climate change committee while the mining firm behind Ffos-y-Fran did not reply.

Committee chairman Llyr Gruffydd said it was “hugely disappointing” as there were “big questions to be asked” of both.

The council has submitted written evidence to the committee. BBC Wales has asked the mining firm to comment about its absence from the hearing.