In his twenties, Cllr Barcia lived in Wrexham and studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Glyndwr University (at that time called NEWI).

He said he has many fond memories of the town – which he still visits annually to see family and friends who are living in the area – as well as the whole of Wales.

Cllr Barcia is so fond that his face mask, which he wears to public appearances including press conferences and plenary sessions, bears the Welsh flag and was handmade in Wrexham.

He said: “Wrexham, Wales and the UK are great places, with wonderful people.

“And regardless of Brexit and the economic crisis, which is separating us a bit, it will always be my second home.”

Speaking of his time in Wales, he said: “First I lived in the university residence, on the campus, and then in [Wrexham] centre.

“We went out on Thursdays to college parties at the Stadium Pub, which was called The Centenary, and Fridays and Saturdays on Wrexham centre, High Street pubs and a disco called The Liquid, which opened that year or the previous one.

“We liked to visit the beautiful places of Wales; Llangollen, Conwy, Aberystwyth or The South of Wales, which is also beautiful.

“Also in 2001 – 2002 I had the honor of witnessing a Wrexham – Cardiff football match in the Second Division.

“After it, I have been studying and working in other places in the UK but since 2004 I am working in Spain, in my hometown Gijón.”

Describing of his and his relatives’ impression of the town, he added: “We have special affection for Wrexham because both, she and I, have been treated excellently. Perhaps it is not the most beautiful place in the UK or Wales but it is the one with the best people.