A FORMER mayor of Islwyn and a popular Blackwood businessman died on Monday following a short illness.

Peter Bullen, who was 80 and a war veteran who won the Distinguished Flying Cross, served as a Blackwood councillor through five decades.

Tributes were paid to him this week by a former council colleague, who described him as a "wonderful man" who never held a political grudge.

Leon Gardiner, a Caerphilly councillor for the Blackwood ward and who served on Islwyn borough council with Mr Bullen for more than 20 years, said: "He was popular, dependable, honest and loyal. He was a man who would always help people when they fell on uneven ground.

"He never held a grudge politically. He would have his say and the other person would have theirs and he would accept the decision. "Blackwood and society will be lesser without him."

He added: "He was also a Christian man and a member of St Margaret's Church.

"He loved life and was dedicated to his family, who came first." 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 his own company, 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 indpendent 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 Aberbar-goed Hospital. Richard Bullen said: "The family are grateful for the wonderful care he received at the hospital over the last month."

Mr Bullen leaves his wife Grace, three children Richard, Andrew and Catherine (another son Michael predeceased him), nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at St Margaret's Church, Blackwood, at 10.30am on Monday followed by cremation at the Gwent Crematorium.