A retired businessman is the new Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council.

He is Clr. David Pugh, who represents the Kilgetty and Begelly electoral divisions on the authority.

A native of Newport in Gwent, Clr. Pugh came to West Wales in 1977 and became managing director of Dairy Care Limited (Haverfordwest), a company installing milking parlours and farm equipment.

He sold his stake in the business in 1989 and moved into finance.

In 2002, he established and became MD of the Saundersfoot-based Pembrokeshire Mortgage Centre.

The company continues, though Clr. Pugh recently retired to devote more time to his role as a county councillor.

He has been a county councillor for three years and is a former chairman of Kilgetty/Begelly Community Council

He is also actively involved with the Begelly Kilgetty Community Association - of which he is a founder member - and has held several key roles within the organisation.

Other interests include fishing, gardening and rugby - he is a qualified Welsh Rugby Union coach, now retired.

Married to Anne, they had three children, Sian, Joanne and Warren. Sadly Sian died in 2002 following a short illness.

Clr. Pugh - who succeeds Clr. John George, of St Davids, as chairman - was proposed for office by Clr. David Bryan and seconded by Clr. Arwyn Williams.

A vote of thanks to the outgoing chairman was proposed by deputy leader, Clr. Jamie Adams.

The council's new vice-chairman is former Llanelli, Wales and British Lion rugby player, Peter Morgan, of Little Haven. He was proposed by Clr. Peter Stock, seconded by Clr. Lyndon Frayling.

The ceremony in County Hall, Haverfordwest, was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, The Hon. Robin Lewis.