Vernon Morgan taught before moving into local government

The county council was criticised by head teachers, the Welsh Language Board and locals when it said candidates for the job did not need to be bilingual.

But following two days of interviews it announced Welsh-speaker Vernon Morgan, currently with Merthyr Tydfil Council, was the successful candidate.

Councillors say the row had no influence on their choice.

Deputy leader Martin Morris said: "We were looking for a proven leader with excellent management skills and vision to deliver investments and improvements in Carmarthenshire.

This is a hugely challenging post and one which I am looking forward to Vernon Morgan

"We were not influenced by any political agenda and our primary focus was always the future of our children and young people."

Some head teachers and language campaigners insisted only a Welsh speaker would be fully equipped for the �100,000-a-year post.

Mr Morgan will oversee the county's small schools reorganisation that could see up to 32 village schools close - some of them Welsh language schools.

Mr Morgan began his career as a teacher, and worked as a head teacher and educational advisor before moving up the ranks of local government.

Interviews were conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday

He said: "I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to work in Carmarthenshire, which is one of the top performing authorities in the county.

"This is a hugely challenging post and one which I am looking forward to."

A spokeswoman for Cymdeithas Yr Iaith (The Welsh Language Society), which had been critical of the council, welcomed the appointment.

"We hope that he will realise the importance of administrating through the medium of Welsh, and the importance of small village schools to their communities," she said.

The Welsh Language Board said it remained unhappy about the way the post was advertised and said it would continue to discuss the appointment process with the council.