HUNDREDS gathered to say goodbye to to a former mayor of Islwyn and a popular Blackwood businessman.

Peter Bullen died, aged 80, following a short illness. The war veteran who won the Distinguished Flying Cross, served as a Black-wood councillor through five decades.

Yesterday tributes were paid to the popular local character in a traditional service at St Margaret's Church.

Members of the Royal British Legion walked behind the cortege as it made its way through the streets of Blackwood.

Born in Cambridgeshire, Mr Bullen moved to South Wales after the war, when he married his wife Grace and worked for a roofing company. He founded Clarence Tiling Company, of which he was managing director for 35 years.

His years in local politics began when he was elected to Bedwellty urban district council in the 1950s as an independent councillor and became chairman in 1973.

He was later elected on to Islwyn borough council and served a term as mayor.

Mr Bullen was also a founder member of Blackwood town council. He was a Freeman of the City of London and past national president of the Federation of Buildings Specialist Sub-contractors.

After retirement, he also spent ten years working at Blackwood Citizens Advice Bureau as a volunteer.

He was a veteran of the Second World War, having joined the RAF in 1942 at the age of 17.

He was stationed in Yorkshire and took part in multiple air raids over Germany and was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Mr Bullen spent the last month of his life at Aberbargoed Hospital. He leaves his wife Grace, three children, Richard, Andrew and Catherine (another son, Michael, predeceased him), nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.