A FORMER Liberal Democrat councillor who was integral in building support for his party in Newport has died.

Hugh Clark served two terms on Newport City Council, once as a Liberal in the late 1960s in Maindee and as a Liberal Democrat in Beechwood from 1999 - after he won the last by-election of the 20th century - until 2012.

He was also the party’s president in the city.

Mr Clark married Val in 1959 and they had a son, Jonathan.

He worked as a lecturer at Coleg Gwent in Nash after he took a history degree as a mature student. He worked at British Steel, serving as a shop steward.

Also a keen historian, he wrote two books on Maindee.

Friend David Hando said: “We have lost a good friend and colleague whose influence will be felt for a long time. He was assiduous in what he did and was a valued member of our party.”

Mr Hando first met Mr Clark after the latter returned from his West Country honeymoon with Mrs Clark and were friends from then.

Mr Hando added: “The first thing I noticed was a ‘Vote Liberal’ sticker on his car window. And all the rest is history.”

He was also a keen Newport County fan and attended most home games.

Had Mr Clark retained his seat in 2012, he would have been appointed Mayor of Newport in 2013-14.

St Julians’ Liberal Democrat councillor Ed Townsend said: “Hugh was a man of principle, with a dry, often self-deprecating sense of humour. He was a source of inspiration to local Liberal Democrats and was popular with local people in his ward.

“Above all, he was guided by his own sense of Liberalism and was a man unafraid to express his opinion and to press forward his Liberal beliefs.

“He had very little time for pomposity and had a down to earth style which endeared him to all who knew him. He never took himself – or others – too seriously.”