Eric Saxon has been elected as the new chair of Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (BBNPA) after it was announced that Mary Taylor would step down from the role on 31 August.

Saxon has served as a councillor at Monmouthshire County Council for the past six years and will be supported in his role by deputy Julie James, the Welsh Assembly Government-appointed member of the authority. The appointments were confirmed at the park authority's annual general meeting on 31 July, with Taylor stepping down as its longest-serving chair after 13 years in the position.

Saxon said: "Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has made significant progress under the valued leadership of Mary Taylor, but we cannot afford to be complacent - we still have much work to do. "Good governance and effective leadership depends on mutual trust and respect, co-operation and partnership. We must continue to work together to strengthen the mutual trust and respect I have seen develop since my time here."

Image: (from left) Julie James, Mary Taylor, Eric Saxon and John Cook, chief executive - BBNPA