Alun Pugh is originally from Rhondda

Alun Pugh has become the second AM from north Wales to take a seat in Rhodri Morgan's new cabinet.

The Clwyd West AM has been named minister for culture, sport and languages of Wales, a role previously held by Liberal Democrat Jenny Randerson in the assembly's first term.

But following Labour's decision to go it alone without the Liberal Democrats, north Wales AMs, Mr Pugh and Clwyd South's Karen Sinclair, have benefited.

Mrs Sinclair was earlier named as minister for assembly business.

Mr Pugh's appointment is an unsurprising step-up for him.

He has already served in the roles of deputy health and social services minister and deputy education minister during the previous assembly term.

He managed to hold on to his assembly seat - the most marginal in the assembly before this month's elections - despite a strong challenge from the former fuel protester Brynle Williams who stood for the Conservatives.

Mountain

He held on to the seat with a majority of 436 votes, down from 760 in 1999.

Mr Pugh is originally from a mining family in Rhondda in the south Wales Valleys.

Born in 1955, he worked in education and was a further education college assistant principal before being elected to the assembly.

His interests include education and information technology.

He is also a keen mountain climber and has spoken out on a number of occasions on the need for higher safety standards for those taking part in mountaineering.

Mr Pugh lives in Deganwy, Conwy.