Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Nick Ainger is gearing up for a ‘very tough fight’ to hang on to his seat of 18 years, he admitted at his campaign launch in Tenby on Wednesday.

But he is hoping that his track record as a champion for the area, with his roots in local industry, will stand him in good stead in the challenge for his key constituency.

“This election is all about ensuring that the current economic recovery is maintained,” said Mr Ainger. “This area in particular knows about recessions - when I was elected in 1982, it was still suffering the effects of the Conservative recession, and had the worst unemployment in the UK.

“I think I’ve worked hard for this area over the past 18 years, and the Labour party has delivered in terms of improvements to hospitals, schools and roads. People want to see that continue.”

He was backed in Tenby’s Tudor Square by former First Minister Rhodri Morgan , who said: “I’m a great fan of Nick Ainger; he has real integrity, real knowledge and real credibility. He has been a wonderful champion for this part of Wales.”