TRIBUTES have been paid to a Cwmbran barber who was said to be "at the heart of his local community".

Natalino Rosato, who was mostly known as Tino, owned and ran Tino's barbershop in Llanyrafon Square, Cwmbran, for more than 40 years.

Mr Rosato sadly died of an infection at the University Hospital of Wales in March after beating Lymphoblastic lymphoma cancer just three weeks earlier at the age of 67.

After moving to Wales from Castelforte, Italy in 1967, Tino initially couldn’t speak a word of English but was hired by Mike Ianiellio in 1972, who owned the barbers at the time, and learnt English as he worked.

Tino's death was a massive shock to his family, who weren’t expecting it at all, but his funeral in St Davids Church, Cwmbran, saw more than 600 people turn up to pay tributes to him, and in Italy, more than 400 turned up to celebrate his life.

His daughter Natalie Rosato, who works two doors down from the barbershop with her partner Jamie Beattie, said he was a man who was loved by all.

He said: “Everyone knew him, he would do so much for his customers. As his customers got older themselves he would go round to people’s houses to do their hair for them. He would do anything for anyone.”

Mr Rosato was a sports fan, and after retiring after 40 years in the barbers, he passed down the business to his son Lee.

“He was a massive sports fan who loved darts and he loved golf and snooker.

“After he retired from the hairdressers he would go to Greenmeadow Golf Club and played every day, he absolutely loved it.”

To commemorate Mr Rosato’s life and to raise money for the B4 Haematology ward in the University Hospital of Wales, his family have organised several sporting events for family, friends and the public to take part in.

“At the moment we’re nearly at £3,000, which is amazing, we had about £900 donated to us at the funeral and we held a golfing event last Sunday at Greenmeadow Golf Club which gave us £1,800,” Miss Rosato said.

“The B4 ward really looked after him, and the nurses who worked there were all named after his children, which was weird.

“It’s important that we give back to them for looking after him,” she added.

The next event to raise money for the ward takes place on Sunday, September 25, at Cwmbran Working Men’s Club, where people can enter into a dart tournament.

Raffle prizes are also included at the tournament, and tickets to enter cost £6.

For more information contact Morgan Borrell on 07826600648.