THE chief executive of Carmarthenshire County Council has spoken of his “surprise and delight” at being recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours.

Mark James, who took over the top job at County Hall in 2002, received a CBE for services to local government in Wales.

The 52-year-old father-of-four said: “While it’s nice for me, it’s also good for the county of Carmarthenshire.

“It’s recognition for all the hard work that’s been going on.

Since Mr James took up his post, the local authority has developed a new shopping centre at St Catherine’s Walk, Carmarthen, launched an ambitious new scheme at the new East Gate leisure and retail development in Llanelli and is drawing up plans to give Ammanford an extensive new facelift.

County hall has also been renovating council homes, invested heavily in the refurbishment of local schools and recently secured £13.5 million of Welsh Government funding for a new business park in Cross Hands.

Acknowledging his “great team”, Mr James added: “I’m very proud of what we have done here – and there’s still more to do.”

Other local people recognised include Llandeilo-based Carol Greenstock, who received an MBE for services to economic development in Wales, and Ammanford’s Alexander Glynn Francis Parry, a community liasion officer with the Serious Organised Crime Agency, who received an MBE for services to law enforcement.