A FORMER Gwent Dragons youth star who drowned while swimming in the Brecon Beacons was described as "the best person that anyone would meet" by loved ones.

Daniel Clemo, 24, from Trecenydd, Caerphilly, was a talented athlete who made friends wherever he went and "had time for everybody".

Despite being a strong swimmer, he came into difficulties while cooling off in Cantref Reservoir on July 13.

Mr Clemo was signed up as a Gwent Dragons youth player aged 16.

Sister Jessica Braithwaite, 33, said: "Until he started playing for Gwent Dragons, I didn't realise how good he was. I'm just so proud of him."

She said he did not play with the club for long, as "he got so distracted by life. He would have been playing for Wales now.

"We got on so well just sitting in each other's company for hours. He showed so much love and care to you that it just made you feel awesome."

Laurie Jones, 22, Mr Clemo's girlfriend of one year, said: "He was the best person that anyone would meet and everyone would tell you that."

She said: "Dan took my daughter on as if she was his own. He didn't care about money, he'd always spend his last penny on my little girl. Now she keeps saying she misses him. She keeps talking to him on her pretend phone asking him how he is.

She added: "Daniel always promised my mum he'd spend the rest of his life with me, and he did."

After Mr Clemo lost his father Colin Clemo aged just 11, his older brother Richard Knowles, now 39, became a role model to him, helping to get him interested in rugby.

Ian Gardner, who taught Mr Clemo PE for around five years at St Cenydd School, said: "He was absolutely outstanding in terms of athletics. He was part of a very successful rugby team, top try scorer in his year.

"He was a really larger than life character. During a Year 10 swimming lesson he once walked in in a cow print thong. He always had a smile on his face and put a smile on other people's faces."

Nicholas Main, 26, grew up with Mr Clemo. He said: "He was the most loveable, bright person you'd ever know. He had lots of people around him wherever he went. I'm just stuck for words, I just can't believe it happened."

Mr Clemo's mother Christina Clemo said talking about her son was too difficult at this time, but wanted to say how much she loved him.

He leaves behind mother Christina, brothers Dai, Richard and Phil, sisters Jessica and Jackie, nephews Luke, Jevon and Greg and niece Laila as well as other family in Wales.

Family and friends gathered last Monday to let off paper lanterns in his memory. His funeral will take place this Friday at 3.30pm at Thornhill Crematorium and there will be a charity rugby game held in Mr Clemo's memory at Senghenydd Rugby Club at 2pm on Saturday (27).