Wales could be getting its own Welsh Language Commissioner thanks to Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies.

Mr Davies led a debate in the National Assembly calling for new legislation that would see Welsh get official language status alongside English and a commissioner to protect the rights of Welsh and English speakers.

"We are committed to increasing the use of Welsh in all spheres of life and to creating a truly bilingual Wales," said Mr Davies, who is the Welsh language spokesman for the Welsh Conservatives. "Giving Welsh "official language status" would strengthen the rights of Welsh and English speakers and would be a hugely symbolic move."

At the moment, Welsh does not have official language status alongside English. Instead, the 1993 Welsh Language Act refers to Welsh and English being treated "equally" but only under limited circumstances such as in public sector and in the courts as long as it is "appropriate under the circumstances and reasonably practicable.

"Welsh Conservatives are committed to increasing the use of Welsh in all spheres of life," added Mr Davies. "We do not want to force small shops and businesses to use Welsh but we would want to encourage larger firms to do so."

Mr Davies' debate attracted cross party support in the Assembly and should now go forward to become law.

"Now that it looks likely that Plaid Cymru and Labour will be forming a coalition Government it will be interesting to see what happens," said Mr Davies. "I will be disappointed if it doesn't become reality after gaining so much support in the chamber."