A FRIEND of a cyclist killed in a road traffic collision last weekend paid tribute to a "kind and gentle" man.

Owain Richard James, 30, of Oakdale, died after his bike collided with a mini bus on the A472 at Newbridge, around 8.05pm.

Best friend Graham Kirby-Smith, 31, described him as a man who inspired many to become better people.

He said: "Owain was a great friend to me personally, particularly in the way he treated me when I shared some big personal issues of my own and I don’t think anyone could ever have a better friend than him.

"I greatly miss Owain, and I feel blessed to have known him as my friend."

The pair first met through the Methodist Society, when Mr Kirby-Smith was in his second year at Aberystwyth University.

"I don’t remember how our friendship began exactly, but what struck me very early on was his humility, it is such a rare quality these days," he said.

They later went on to share a flat together with another friend, which is where Mr Kirby-Smith said he noticed what a "deep thinker," Mr James was.

"He has opened my mind to perspectives I’d never come across before, and opened my eyes to see and appreciate things I’d never noticed," he said.

"He cared deeply about things that really mattered, and always yearned to do the right thing.

"He aspired to be more like other people who he looked up to, and, though he wouldn’t agree, I think many people aspired to be more like him."

Mr Kirby-Smith said his friend would express doubts about whether he was making "much of a difference" to the people he met, but said Mr James inspired him to become a better person.

The 43-year-old driver of the mini bus was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after the crash. He has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101.