A GWENT community yesterday said farewell to a former mayor who "touched many people's lives."

Kath Edmunds, 74, had been a councillor for St Dials in Cwmbran for 17 years before her death on October 10 following an operation for a stomach complaint.

More than 100 people, attended her funeral at the Church of Our Lady of the Angels in Old Cwmbran yesterday.

Ms Edmunds, who was Mayor of Torfaen in 1998 and 1999, and retired from the council in June, had devoted much of her life to fostering more than 100 children.

She also helped set up Torfaen's first women's refuge and supported Gingerbread, which helps single-parent families.

Torfaen council leader Councillor Bob Wellington; deputy leader Councillor Neil Lewis; the current Mayor of Torfaen Yvonne Warren; and cabinet member for education Councillor John Turner all attended the service at Ms Edmunds' church.

Father John Meredith, parish priest, told the congregation: "Kath touched many people's lives and, most of all, the lives of her family - six children, ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

"If that wasn't enough, she then went on to spend much of her time fostering many children over the years, and it was a great pride of hers to give herself in that way.

"Many of them regarded her as their mother and regarded themselves as part of the family.

"Sometimes as mayor you have to have a very high profile, lots of photos being taken, and that is right.

"That's all well and good because it's good for the community at large to see the work that is going on at the council.

"At other times there are many things that are done quietly. Nobody knows about them and sometimes they are the best things."

The service was followed by cremation at Gwent Cremator-ium.