AN archaeologist with a passion for Pembrokeshire has recently been ushered into an esteemed society alongside former Prime Ministers.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority archaeologist Pete Crane was elected as a Fellow to the 300-year-old Society of Antiquaries of London, an exclusive learned organisation regarded as recognition of significant achievement in the fields of archaeology, antiquities, history and heritage.

The society, which includes Benjamin Franklin amongst its former Fellows, is the oldest heritage organisation in Europe and beyond.

Pete spent 11 years working on the dig circuit before embarking on a degree course at Cardiff University, when he undertook archaeological projects with Cadw and English Heritage before returning to Wales to work for Dyfed Archaeology Trust for 16 years.

Pete, who has been with the National Park Authority since 2009, said: "It's a huge honour and privilege to be elected to the society alongside some of the world's most prominent archaeologists and cultural heritage authorities."

"My current role focuses on conservation and outreach, working the local communities and volunteers on a range of projects such as the Arfordir-Coastline project, and at Nevern Castle.

"Career highlights include digging in some of the coastal promontory forts around the Pembrokeshire coast, especially St. Brides Bay - it's sheer joy to touch the past.

The National Park Authority's culture and heritage manager, Phil Bennett, said: "Pete has a huge amount of experience as an archaeologist and also as a communicator and has done a great deal towards making archaeology more accessible to the public.

"He organises and speaks at our hugely popular Archaeology Days, organised by the Park Authority, and his enthusiasm for the subject is always catching!"

Pete's nomination to this society was endorsed by 12 existing members of the society, and voted in by Fellows by anonymous ballot.