THE family of a man who died in a crash on Monday have paid tribute to a "larger than life" and "well-known figure".

Thomas Edward Thomas, 80, known to his family as Eddie, died at the scene of the incident at around 2.30pm on Monday, October 11.

The crash involved one car, a silver Vauxhall Astra, which collided with a wall on Hopkin Street in Pontardawe.

His partner Gwyneth Morgan was injured in the crash and is currently receiving hospital treatment.

Eddie the Cobbler, as he was fondly known, ran a shoe repair and key cutting shop in Port Talbot for 43 years.

Paying tribute a statement from the family said: “He will be sorely missed by his step-sons Andrew and Alistair, his grandson Christian and the wider family.

“Eddie was a keen snooker player where he will be known from his years playing at the Top Club, Jubilee and Pontardawe Working Men’s Club.

“Over the years he has run a cobblers shop, where he will be most remembered as larger than life in the Aberavon shopping centre. He was a well-loved figure, family say he could be heard before he was seen.”

A spokesman for South Wales Police said officers are appealing for witnesses.

A statement from the police said: "Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the incident, who has any dash-cam footage or knows anybody who does, is being asked to contact police quoting reference *357217 via their online portal, via private message on Facebook/Twitter, via email at SWP101@south-wales.police.uk or by phoning 101."

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