A retired farmer has been elected the seventh chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council.
Councillor Leslie Raymond MBE, who represents Solva and Brawdy on the Authority, takes office almost 30 years to the day that he began in local government.
He succeeds the first woman chairman, Clr. Mrs. Rosemary Hayes, of Saundersfoot.
Pembrokeshire-born and bred, Clr. Raymond, of Brawdy has been a member of the County Council since it became substantive in 1996.
He began his involvement in local government when he was elected onto Haverfordwest Rural District Council in May, 1972. He served on Preseli Pembrokeshire District Council from its inception in 1974 becoming chairman in 1988.
For 40 years he has been one of the best know figures locally in the agricultural world, farming at Pointz Castle, Penycwm.
Clr. Raymond is a former chairman of the Pembrokeshire branch of the National Farmers' Union and until last year had been its Treasurer for 20 years. He is also a former chairman and Board member of the Executive of the Clynderwen Farmers' Co-op.
In 1991 he was awarded the MBE for services to agriculture.
He and his wife Gwen have been married 48 years and have three grown-up daughters. Mrs. Raymond is a former magistrate and Tax Commissioner.
Clr. Raymond was elected to office at Pembrokeshire County Council's annual meeting.
His elevation was proposed by Clr. Gordon Cawood and seconded by Clr. John George.
Afterwards Clr. Mickey Folland, who represents Tenby South, was elected vice-chairman.
He was formally proposed by Clr. Brian Hall and seconded by Clr. Clive Collins.
A vote of thanks to the outgoing chairman was led by Clr. Bill Hitchings.
Among the guests at the annual meeting in County Hall, Haverfordwest, was the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, Mr. John Allen-Mirehouse, and the Chairman's Chaplain, Rev. Aled Jenkins and Mrs. Jenkins.