A regional daily is running a month-long series dedicated to women who helped shape the history of its patch.

The Western Mail has launched Welsh History Month, which sees it celebrate the role women have played at the “very heart” of Wales.

The series features articles from academics and experts from across Wales, and began with an introduction from historian Dr Lesley Hulonce.

The Cardiff-based Mail previously ran a ‘Welsh History Month’ series in October 2015 with a theme that explored Wales’ contribution to the world

Editor Catrin Pascoe said: “The articles underlined just how huge that contribution has been, but there was one unintended but nevertheless very significant oversight – few women were featured.

“It fuelled a determination to make that right by putting women at the centre of our next Welsh History Month, but moreover to put them centre stage because, quite simply, their contribution is everywhere.

“So, as 2017 dawns, we are aiming to overcome that ‘deafening silence’ Dr Hulonce refers to once and for all, and sing the often unsung.

“The exciting result is a fascinating range of articles which shine the light on just how important and intrinsic women are to this nation and its development as a society.”