UPDATE: 11.27

Ringland councillor Emma Corten said she learned much from the veteran councillor: “He was a great man. He was all about the people, which is what a good councillor should be. He taught me much that I will always take with me,” she said.

Newport West assembly member Rosemary Butler tweeted: “Cllr Ron Jones was a long standing colleague who was well respected and had a wicked sense of humour. He will be sadly missed.”

UPDATE: 11.10

Fellow Pill councillor Ibrahim Hayat described Cllr Jones as a “true gentleman” adding: “We were only judging the floats together yesterday at Pill carnival and we had this devastating news this morning.

"He was a real gentleman and a pillar of the community who devoted his life to Pill. He only turned 78 last week, he was wonderful gentleman who will be much missed.”

UPDATE: 10.30

Newport’s conservative leader Cllr Matthew Evans paid tribute to “Mr Pill”. He said: “I am shocked and saddened to hear about Ron’s sudden death. Ron really was Mr Pill and always put people before politics. He will be sorely missed.”

Conservative councillor David Fouweather said:”I always considered Ron a friend despite our party political differences. He was someone that always took a balanced and measured view on all issues. I will personally miss him as a colleague.”

Lliswerry councillor Roger Jeavons said: “Ron was very up for an open debate and had the people of Newport and Pill at the forefront of his mind all the time. He is a very sad loss.”

UPDATE: 9.55

Friend and fellow Labour councillor Allan Morris, said: “Ron is a great loss to the community and the people of Pill. He’s the epitome of an excellent ward councillor, he was a true inspiration and a great friend.”

Rogerstone councillor Chris Evans, said: “Ron wasn’t afraid to say it as it is. As a newly elected member, Ron quickly became my friend and mentor. Newport has lost a true original. Thanks Ron, for being you, and, standing up for Pill, and Newport.”

UPDATE: 9.36

STALWART Newport councillor Ron Jones has died.

Cllr Jones, who represented the Pill ward for more than three decades, died early this morning.

Just yesterday he was judging at Pill Carnival.

The former chairman of Gwent County Council was governor of Pillgwenlly Primary School and St Michael's RC Primary School and was the current chairman of the council's planning committee.

He was also a carer's champion and older person's champion and was a member of Newport Housing Trust.

A full tribute will follow later this morning.