Labour Party members in the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire constituency have chosen their candidate to fight the 2016 National Assembly election.

Marc Tierney, received the overwhelming support of delegates against a very strong slate of potential candidates at a final ballot held in the Bloomfield Centre, Narberth on Saturday morning.

The provision of good quality, locally accessible public services featured prominently in the debate as concerns increase over the effect of further austerity measures set to cut the budget of the Welsh and local governments.

Marc Tierney lives in Efailwen on the Pembrokeshire Carmarthenshire border with his partner Sarah and children who attend school in Whitland and Narberth. He has worked in broadcasting locally for Radio Pembrokeshire and UTV Radio in Swansea.

Marc is active in the third sector, currently as chair of Cleddau Community Media based in Pembroke Dock. He has also organised several respite holidays for children worst affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster through the organisation Chernobyl Children's LifeLine.

Speaking after the selection, Marc said: "The next sets of elections are critical to our communities.

"I want to work with the Welsh government to deliver the best public services for local people against a difficult austerity agenda at UK Government level. I raised concerns with the Local Health Board during their board meeting last week about the future of cancer services at Withybush Hospital and sought their assurance that they are dedicated to improving patient care.

"Of equal importance is the long term future of A&E at Withybush and Glangwili Hospitals. Both provide an important service. I welcome the response I received from the Health Board that they are committed to both departments despite recruitment difficulties, and I will be listening to local people to make sure these services deliver what we need.

"Creating employment and improving our infrastructure are fundamental to our area. I met with the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart, recently, and I used the opportunity to talk through concerns over public transport and the 'brain drain' from our local economy where our young people leave to study, but cannot find jobs to return to. I was pleased the Minister shared my concerns, and she highlighted the importance of the Swansea Bay city region in driving economic success further west.

"I will make sure West Wales is pushed higher up the list of priorities for Welsh Government and, indeed, central government. The Assembly elections are in May 2016, but I will be working hard from now on in to make sure the voice of West Wales is heard loud and clear"