The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority appointed its new chairman on Wednesday.

Clr. Tony Brinsden takes over the reins from Richard Howells, who has been chairman of the authority since 2009.

Clr. Brinsden was elected by members at the annual general meeting of the National Park Authority at its head office in Llanion Park, Pembroke Dock.

Clr. Rob Lewis is the new vice-chairman, taking over the role previously held by Clr. Brinsden.

Outgoing chairman Richard Howells, who during his time in office was chairman of the Welsh Association of National Park Authorities and is current deputy chairman of the UK Association of National Park Authorities, said:

"The last two years have seen the National Park Authority undergo a major transformation. We have recruited a new senior management team; changed the committee structure to enable the membership to have a more significant scrutiny role and raised the quality of our planning function from that criticised by Audit to one heralded by the outgoing Welsh Government Minister as an exemplar to all local authorities in Wales.

"Of course, mistakes have been made, but we have not only learned from those mistakes, but put in the public domain the steps we have taken in an effort to ensure they cannot happen again.

"Over the past two years or so the membership has taken positive steps to ensure that the authority is well equipped to meet the many challenges of the 21st century."

New chairman, Clr. Tony Brinsden, said: "I consider it a great honour and I realise what a difficult job I have following in the footsteps of Richard. I hope that we will be able to continue to uphold the principles of the National Park, despite the difficult economic problems we all face."

Clr. Brinsden, who is from Llanteg, joined the authority in 2004 and was chairman of the development management committee from 2006-2009.

At the meeting, Clr. Simon Hancock was appointed as chairman of the development management committee, taking over from Clr. Michael Williams. Gwyneth Hayward was appointed as vice-chairman.