The tax allowance on the Furnished Holidays Lettings had been due to be scrapped – costing landlords £4,000 a year on average.

But the Conservative Chancellor announced that it was to be kept in place – safeguarding the county's holiday cottage industry.

"The figures show that Pembrokeshire has more than double the number of holiday lets than any other county in Wales so this was a particularly vital issue for us," said Mr Hart.

"I had received a lot of letters and calls from concerned holiday cottage owners – many of them farmers who have diversified – on this issue. For many the tax break was the difference between having a viable business or having to let it go."

Overall Mr Hart welcomed the budget.

"It was a tough but fair budget which set out to deal swiftly with the financial crisis caused by the overspending of the last Government," he added.

"No increase in fuel duty was also very welcome for Pembrokeshire as we have to rely so heavily on cars to get around and I'm pleased that the proposed fuel price stabiliser - dropping the tax on petrol when the cost of oil is high - is being investigated further.

"Corporation tax has been dropped which is important for the many small businesses in the county and the reduction in child benefits for the middle classes means that poorer families will benefit more."