The Welsh Liberal Democrats have elected Jane Dodds as the party’s new leader.

She takes over from acting leader, the Brecon and Radnorshire AM, Kirsty Williams who is the party’s only nationally elected politician in Wales.

The Welsh Lib Dems said child protection social worker Ms Dodds has taken over the role from Ms Williams "immediately". She defeated Ceredigion councillor Elizabeth Evans.

The vote means the Welsh Lib Dems are lead by a party member who doesn’t hold elected office. Previously party leaders had to be either AMs or MPs.

Ms Dodds was the party’s candidate in its former stronghold seat, Montgomeryshire, at this year’s general election and the general election in 2015 - as well as at the 2016 Welsh Assembly elections - but has failed to wrestle it back from the Conservatives.

She said: "It is an honour to have been elected as the next leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats - to focus my energy on bringing like minded people together to rebuild our party and to re-establish the Welsh Liberal Democrats as the radical, progressive force of Welsh politics."

The party had been the dominant force in Powys politics for many years but lost the Montgomeryshire seat at the 2010 Westminster election and the Brecon and Radnorshire seat to the Conservatives in 2015, who retained it at this year’s election.

The party had previously said Kirsty Williams was unable to commit to the Welsh leadership role on a full time basis.

Ms Williams led the party from 2008, when she became the first woman to lead a major party in Wales, until the 2016 Welsh Assembly elections. Though Ms Williams recorded her highest ever majority in 2016 all her party colleagues lost their seats as the Lib Dems were all but wiped out from the National Assembly for Wales.

Ms Williams immediately resigned as Welsh party leader, having lost four seats at the 2016 poll, but accepted the position as education minster in Carwyn Jones’ Labour cabinet.

Ceredigion MP Mark Williams then became the Welsh party leader but the former Llangors school teacher lost his seat at this year’s general election - leaving Wales without any Lib Dem MPs.

Ms Williams paid tribute to both candidates. She said: "The Welsh Liberal Democrat membership had two fantastic candidates to choose between. Two proud Welsh women with long records of standing up for their communities.

"What has become clear over the last few years is that nothing can be taken for granted. We must fight tooth and nail for the values that we liberals hold dear.

"I know that the Welsh Liberal Democrats will be safe in Jane’s hands. I know she has the skills, drive and energy as we look to rebuild this great party."

Ms Dodds, who won 53.1% of the vote on a turnout of 35.2% of the party’s membership that is said to be more than 3,000, paid tribute to her predecessors and her opponent.

She said: "I’d like to thank Liz Evans for running an excellent campaign and giving members a vital opportunity to discuss our next steps as a party. I’d also like to pay tribute to Mark Williams and Kirsty Williams for their unwavering commitment to our party.

"Wales needs the Welsh Liberal Democrats now more than ever. Wales needs the progressive, pragmatic, and reforming voice of Welsh Liberal Democrats in the Assembly and in Westminster to give us an exit from Brexit, a fresh look on creating more and better paid jobs, protecting our environment, and delivering on Kirsty Williams’ education reforms.

"We have been down, but we aren’t out, and I’m confident of what lies ahead for my party."

Former Lib Dem Welsh Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales William Powell is the president of the Welsh party.

He is also the county councillor for Talgarth on Powys County Council on which the Lib Dems are the official opposition.