A NEW Plaid Cymru AM for Mid and West Wales has been chosen following the resignation of Simon Thomas.

Helen Mary Jones will today (Thursday, August 2) be sworn in as the region’s new Plaid Cymru Assembly Member.

Helen Mary Jones expressed "profound regret" at the difficult circumstances in which she would be returning to the National Assembly.

Speaking before taking the oath in a private ceremony at the National Assembly, Helen Mary Jones said: "It is a great honour to have the opportunity to serve the people of Mid and West Wales in our National Assembly.

"I feel a profound sense of regret at the difficult circumstances in which I will be returning to the Senedd.

"Despite this, I know that there is a job of work to do in representing the people of Mid and West Wales and in giving them and their communities the strongest voice possible in our national parliament.

"I look forward to giving of my best for the region and for Wales."

A prominent figure in Welsh politics, Helen Mary Jones previously served as a Plaid Cymru AM from 1999 until 2011 with a political focus in her work on social justice, education and children and young people's rights.

The new AM was selected from the party’s regional list, meaning there was no by-election.

Mr Thomas resigned from office last Wednesday (July 25) following news that police were undertaking an investigation into a serious offence.

At the time a Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: "An individual from Aberystwyth has been arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images.

"The individual has been released on police bail for 28 days."