FAMILY and a former colleague have paid tribute to the former mayor of Torfaen, Graham Powell, who died at the age of 80.

Mr Powell was a long serving councillor for New Inn, firstly on the Pontypool urban district council before becoming a Torfaen councillor from 1969 to 1979.

A lifelong Labour party member, who was made the authority’s mayor during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations.

Paying tribute to her dad, one of Mr Powell's daughter's Ruth Tucker provided a statement on behalf of the family.

She said: "Dad was a truly inspirational father and gave sound guidance to my sister Kay and me. He was devoted to our mother and lived life to the full.

"Even though he suffered from Alzheimer’s and spent the last two years of his life in a nursing home, his passing will leave a huge gap in our family.”

He was remembered fondly as "a hugely respected and committed councillor."

Torfaen MP, Paul Murphy, who served on the council with Mr Powell, said: "I knew Graham for well over 40 years."

"He was a hugely respected councillor in New Inn, serving on both the old Pontypool UDC and Torfaen borough council, where he became Mayor. He had a keen mind, he was a committed socialist, a loyal servant of the people of New Inn and a highly respected Mayor.

"He will be sadly missed, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family at such a sad time for them.”

He spent last 17 months living at Plasgeller Nursing Home in Brynmawr.

He suffered from Alzheimer’s and this was one of the causes of his death on July 7 along with respiratory failure.

He is survived by his wife Daisy, who still lives in New Inn, his daughters Ruth and Kay, son-in-law Wayne and five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

His funeral will take place on July 25 at 12.30pm at Gwent Crematorium and afterwards at Greenmeadow Golf club.