A commemorative blue plaque has been unveiled in Llandovery to mark the founder a Welsh bank.

The town council, working with local historians, applied for listed building consent for a blue plaque at the Kings Head Inn to recognise founder David Jones.

The rear wing of the inn was the original premises of the Llandovery Bank, known locally as the Black Ox Bank, or Banc yr Eidion Du, from 1799 to 1848.

The bank, known for its emblem of an ox on the left side of their bank notes, served the Carmarthenshire drovers who led herds of cattle to market in London.

It was bought out by Lloyds Bank in 1909 - marking the end of independent banking in Wales.

The blue plaque project was set up to identify people, places, icons, events and buildings of cultural and historical worth.

At last Friday’s unveiling Llandovery county councillor Handel Davies said the plaque was a way of correcting history and celebrating the town’s heritage.

“It is surprising how many people think another local pub called the Black Ox, was the original home of the Black Ox bank,” he said.

“This plaque is a way of remembering the history. It is a shame we are commemorating the first bank after the last one in the town closed.”

Cllr Davies was joined by Dr R Brinley Jones, former Warden of Llandovery College, who spoke about the town’s rich history.

The plaque was officially unveiled by Jonathan Edwards, MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr.

He said, “It was a pleasure to be invited to join Dr. Brinley Jones, County Councillor Handel Davies, members of the town council and the great turn out from the local community to officially unveil the blue plaque.

“This plaque reminds us all of an important piece of history in Llandovery and it is all down to the hard work of the local community in promoting the town’s rich history.

“I will continue to support the community and wish them well as they work hard to put Llandovery on the map.”