LORD ISLWYN'S family and friends gathered at his funeral service yesterday to pay tribute to a dedicated servant of Gwent.

The former Newport East MP Roy Hughes died of a heart attack at the Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny, on December 19, aged 78.

Lord Islywn represented Newport and Newport East for 31 years before being made a peer in 1997.

Representatives from Lord Islwyn's great passions in life - his family, politics and Welsh rugby - packed the pews of St Mary's Priory Church, Abergavenny.

St Mary's was used as Lord Islwyn's parish church, St Teilio's, was too small for the number of mourners. The service was followed by cremation at Croesyceiliog.

Father John Connell, of St Telio's, officiated and paid tribute to a loyal family man and a "parishioner who is greatly missed".

Northern Ireland Sec-retary and Torfaen MP Paul Murphy represented the Government and gave the eulogy.

After the hymn In Heavenly Love Abiding, Mr Murphy spoke of Lord Islwyn's dedication to his constituents, his Valleys roots and his Welsh identity.

"His great loves were summed up by the grand title he took when he became a peer: Lord Islwyn of Casnewydd. Islywn for his Valleys birthplace, Casnewydd for Newport and in Welsh because of his love of Wales," Mr Murphy said.

Other politicians paying their respects included the First Minister Rhodri Morgan, Under Secretary for Wales and Islwyn MP Don Touhig, and Newport council leader Sir Harry Jones.

Others attending the service included Lord Islwyn's successor as Newport East MP, Alan Howarth; Newport West MP Paul Flynn; Monmouth MP Huw Ed-wards, and Blaenau Gwent MP Llew Smith.

One of the peer's son-in-laws, David Ripley, and the Rev Malcolm Lane gave readings.

Many of the congregation were wearing Newport Rugby Football Club ties in recognition of Lord Islwyn's unwavering support for the club over the years.

Lord Islwyn is survived by his widow, Marion, and his three daughters, Rosemary, Pamela and Meriel, who was accompanied by two of his four grandchildren.

Before the funeral party left St Mary's the congregation sang Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, and the Welsh national anthem.