AFTER 35 years with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, chief executive Nic Wheeler has said a fond farewell to staff and members for the last time.

Nic Wheeler was appointed National Park officer in 1974 and is the longest serving chief executive within the family of UK National Parks.

At his last full National Park Authority Committee meeting at the end of March, members presented him with a digital scanner for his many old slides and pictures.

Staff paid their own tribute to Nic at his farewell party, presenting him with a 15-inch digital photo frame and the original National Park Award razorbill sculpture mounted on bluestone, as well as some personal mementos and treats.

Mr. Wheeler said: "I want to thank members and staff for their kind and generous gifts and for all their fantastic work over the years. I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent over 40 years living and working in Pembrokeshire. Forty years which I've thoroughly enjoyed both professionally and personally.

"Winning many national and international awards over the years has provided the authority with recognition from far and wide - we've been looking after a wonderful resource on behalf of an international nation. And I certainly intend to continue to serve Pembrokeshire and participate in environmental issues in other ways over the years to come. I just hope I've left something worthwhile and of value for my successor, Tegryn Jones, to continue with."

Chairman Richard Howells said: "I would like to thank Nic on behalf of all of the authority members for the time, dedication and energy he has devoted to the Park and the authority during his career. Nic has been at the forefront of the National Park movement for well over 30 years and has a truly enviable reputation on environmental issues, not only in Wales, but throughout the UK. His will be a hard act to follow and he takes with him the good wishes of members and all of his staff."

Tegryn Jones has now taken up the reins as the authority's chief executive.

Mr Jones, a native of Lampeter and a fluent Welsh speaker, joined the Park Authority from his position of chief executive of Keep WalesTidy.

Mr. Jones steps into Mr. Wheeler's shoes heading a team of over 130 staff and leading an organisation charged with conserving and enhancing the special qualities of the National Park and providing opportunities for people to access and enjoy it.