Darren Millar, North West Regional Manager for the persecuted church agency Open Doors, has been elected to the Welsh Assembly in last Thursday's elections, ousting the Labour Culture Minister Alun Pugh to become the member for Clwyd West.

As the Conservative candidate, Darren campaigned for a fairer deal from the Assembly for North Wales, against the amalgamation of police forces in Wales and for protection of local hospitals and schools which are threatened with closure.

He was also concerned by plans for wind farms off the North Wales coast and in the Clocaenog forest, the problem of affordable housing, the regeneration of local towns and support for the rural community.

As Regional Manager for the North West, Darren represented Open Doors ministry in the region and was responsible for building relationships with both churches and individuals.

Mr Millar gained a majority over Pugh of nearly 1600 in Thursday's elections.

Eddie Lyle, Open Doors' CEO congratulated Mr Millar on his victory, "Darren has endured a particularly vitriolic campaign by those who sought to use his Christian faith as a means to undermine his personal integrity.

"The last weeks have exacted a heavy toll on Darren but I am delighted that the result, which is a vindication of both his profound and deep commitment to the people of North Clwyd but also his transparency as someone who is closely identified by his Christian faith."

Mr Millar first became involved in politics at the age of 15 when he joined the Clwyd North West Conservative Association in the run up to the 1992 general election. In 1999 Darren was elected as a town councillor for Towyn and two years later became the youngest serving mayor in Wales serving the township of Towyn and Kinmel Bay.