TRIBUTES were being paid last night to a Newport pub owner who died after a collision in the city's Clarence Place.

The woman, named locally as Shirley Potts, 50, died after a collision with a car at around 6pm on Friday.

Eyewitnesses said a police officer tried to save her with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, while a nurse gave her cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

She was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital with serious head injuries, but died later.

It is understood that Mrs Potts, who is reported to have owned the Greyhound Inn, Christchurch Road, the Waterloo Inn, West Nash Road, andthe Lyceum Tavern, Malpas Road, was on her way to a friend's firework party and had been getting out of a taxi when the accident happened.

Staff and regulars at all three pubs were too distressed to speak about the incident last night.

Popular Mrs Potts also worked in the advertising department at the South Wales Argus for around ten years before leaving to run pubs in Newport.

Fellow publicans paid tribute to Mrs Potts and spoke of her "happy-go-lucky" nature.

Steve Williams, landlord of the St Julian Inn, said Mrs Potts had been on her way to the firework party and added: "She was happy-go-lucky. She had been in the business for many years. It's very sad. We're all going to miss her.

"She was very good company and a nice person to be with."

Lorraine Cashman, the landlady of the White Hart Inn, Caerleon, said: "She was bubbly and a lovely person."

One friend who did not want to be named said: "She was full of life. We're devastated."

The police investigation into the collision continues. No further details were being released last night.

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