Mark Drakeford is set to become Wales' next first minister after he won the Welsh Labour leadership election.

The Cardiff West AM was announced as the winner this afternoon.

It follows a contest to succeed Carwyn Jones, who will formally step down as First Minister next week.

Around 175,000 people were entitled to vote in the contest, either through their membership of the party or an affiliated trade union or group.

In the first round of voting, Mr Drakeford won 46.9 per cent of the vote with Cardiff South and Penarth AM Vaughan Gething second on 30.8 per cent and Mid and West Wales AM Eluned Morgan third on 22.3 per cent.

After Eluned Morgan's votes were redistributed on the basis of the voters' second preferences, Mark Drakeford had 53.9 per cent and Vaughan Gething 41.4 per cent. Not everyone will have included a second preference.

Mr Drakeford will formally be confirmed as the First Minister of Wales after a vote by AMs in the National Assembly next week.

Reacting to Mark Drakeford’s election as Leader of Welsh Labour, Lee Waters AM, said: “Having nominated Mark Drakeford for the leadership of Welsh Labour I’m delighted that he’s won.

"I backed Mark because I thought he was the best person for the job amongst a field of very credible candidates.

“Observing him at close quarters in the Assembly, and during the campaign I know he is somebody who combines integrity, experience, and a strong sense of purpose.

"He has a gut instinct for how to use power to create a fairer society, and I trust him to make the right choices as we navigate Brexit and deepening austerity.

“I look forward to voting for Mark Drakeford to be next First Minister of Wales next week and I know he will be a First Minister with a clear sense of direction for Wales, and a clear set of values.“