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Staff at a North Wales holiday park have been asked not to speak Welsh while they are at work.

Greenacres Holiday Park in Morfa Bychan in Gwynedd has confirmed that they ask workers to speak English in certain parts of the kitchen "to prevent miscommunication".

They were responding to claims that a meeting had been held to ask staff to speak English rather than Welsh "for the purposes of guest safety".

However, a spokesman for the park said staff "can and do speak Welsh in all other ares of the park".

The spokesman said: "We are proud to have team members from both the local area and from further afield working at Greenacres.

"For the purposes of guest safety, team members in specific areas of our kitchen are asked to converse in English when on shift.

"This policy is solely to prevent miscommunication which could lead to vital information such as customer allergies being misunderstood.

"Team members can and do speak in Welsh in all other areas of the park on a daily basis.

"Any suggestion that the park prohibits our members of staff from speaking in Welsh is categorically untrue."

Porthmadog town councillor Simon Brooks and Gwynedd county councillor Selwyn Griffiths met with management at Greenacres today.

Cllr Brooks said they were "very concerned" about the policy of asking staff not to speak Welsh.

"While I am aware of their argument, it is in fact illegal for people in Wales to be told not to speak Welsh," he said.

"I suggested it would be sensible for Greenacres to contact the Welsh Language Commissioner to find a sensible way forward from this.

"I understand that, within an hour of our meeting, they had voluntarily referred themselves to the Welsh Language Commissioner, which is positive and shows they do understand the sensitivities surrounding this. As local councillors, we're happy with their decision.

"I am hopeful that the park will come to a sensible resolution which means it will be accepted for members of staff who want to speak Welsh to be able to do so.

"It has to be resolved legally. People in Wales have the right to use the Welsh language and there can't be any backing down on this whatsoever."

A spokesman for Greenacres said they are going to "approach the Welsh Language Commissioner for any advice that could be provided".