LABOUR'S former National Assembly Agriculture Minister Christine Gwyther emerged victorious from a tense two-horse race for the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire seat at Thursday's election. There was a nail-biting 45 minutes, as ballot bundles were re-checked at the request of Plaid Cymru contender Llyr Hughes Griffiths.

As the count began at the Parkhouse building, Withybush showground, Haverfordwest, a nervous Christine admitted it would be a tight contest. And it was with huge relief that she made a final surge towards the winning post, with a slender margin of 515 votes. She beat Llyr Hughes Griffiths by 8,384 votes to 7,869 votes, with Tory's David Thomas third with 4,917 votes.

"It's four in the morning, absolutely freezing cold and pouring with rain but I can assure you, it's very warm indeed in the Labour family of west Wales," said an elated Christine.

In neighbouring Preseli Pembrokeshire Constit-uency, fellow Labour candidate, Tamsin Dunwoody-Kneafsey had a more convincing win, gaining 8,067 votes to Tory Paul Davies' 6,741 and Plaid Sion Jobbins' 5,227.

Her first act as AM will be to concentrate on investment in the economy - including farming and rural affairs.

She said: "As someone who lives in the community, works in the community and whose children go to school in the community, I have a very real belief in a strong voice in Cardiff for Pembrokeshire."

For Christine Gwyther, the election came at the end of a traumatic four-year term in the Assembly. Her appointment as first Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister was dogged with controversy, ending in her replacement by Carwyn Jones. And more recently she has had to face personal tragedy with the illness and death of her long-term partner Steve May.

Having fought such a close battle in this election over local issues, Christine recognises that health and economy remain the biggest issues. "It is difficult to recruit health professionals and also attract inward investment this far west," she admitted.

That is why she is delighted that civil servant jobs through the Department of Works and Pensions will be coming to the Cleddau Bridge call centre at Pembroke Dock, giving it a long-term future.

Llyr Hughes Griffiths warned: "Labour had better deliver. If we don't get beds in Tenby Hospital people will never trust them again. In terms of jobs, we are still waiting. Plaid Cymru intends to win next time." And Tory's David Thomas reminded her: "There are three issues still unresolved - the wall town problem in Tenby; Tenby Hospital and Carmarthen Market, which must remain where it is."

Election results

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Christine Gwyther (Labour) 8,384. Llyr Hughes Griffiths (Plaid Cymru) 7,869. David Nicholas Thomas (Conservative) 4,917. Mary Megarry (Liberal Democrat) 2,222. Arthur Williams (Independent) 580. Turnout 42%.

Preseli Pembrokeshire Tamsin Dunwoody-Kneafsey (Labour) 8,067. Paul Windsor Davies (Conservative) 6,741. Sion Jobbins (Plaid Cymru) 5,227. Mike Warden (Liberal Democrat) 2,799. Turnout 43%.

Ceredigion Elin Jones (Plaid Cymru) 11,883. John Davies (Liberal Democrat) 7,265. Rhianon Passmore (Labour) 3,308. Owen John Williams (Conservative) 2,923. Ian Sheldon (UK Independence) 940. Turnout 49.9%.

Mid and West Wales regional members Nick Bourne (Conservative). Glyn Davies (Conservative). Elizabeth Francis (Conservative). Helen Mary Jones (Plaid Cymru).