 UNDER-FIRE supermarket chain Somerfield has issued an unreserved apology over claims a manager branded Welsh "a silly language". Company bosses met Bala town leaders in a bid to defuse the bitter language row. They apologised "unreservedly" and revealed plans to set up a Welsh-language policy for both Somerfield and its other supermarket chain, KwikSave. The row erupted after area manager David Ware allegedly told a cashier serving a Bala woman: "Stop speaking that silly language in front of customers." Mr Ware is on annual leave while the company carries out an internal investigation. Both sides described yesterday's meeting as "positive". A joint statement said: "The company apologises unreservedly to the local community for the upset and offence caused. Somerfield has reassured the meeting that it is treating the matter seriously and as a top priority. "The company is still interviewing a number of individuals and will be meeting the area manager when he returns from annual leave. All of the Welsh-speaking staff in the store are encouraged to speak Welsh to customers as appropriate." Somerfield managers promised to recommend to the company's board it "adopts a clear policy on the Welsh language throughout Wales, including its KwikSave stores". Both sides agreed to continue talks about an appropriate policy. Among those at the meeting were Gwynedd councillor Elwyn Edwards, Meirionnydd Nant Conwy MP Elfyn Llwyd, Cymdeithas yr Iaith's Gwyn Siôn Ifan and Antur Penllyn language officer Alan Jones. | 
