A NEW prison wing opened yesterday in memory of a former prison governor who died suddenly last year.

Ray Comber was the governor of Usk and Prescoed prison from 1998 until his death on New Year's Eve last year. He died of a heart condition, aged 57, after suffering from pneumonia.

Yesterday his widow, Janine, and family unveiled the new 18-bed unit that he had wanted to build.

Mr Comber had the idea to convert old storage space into cells.

The £200,000 wing, which has been operational since May, took four months to build and was decorated by inmates at the prison.

Mrs Comber, 43, who is head of personnel at the prison and area personnel adviser for Wales Prison Service, was joined by their son Daniel on his 11th birthday, and Mr Comber's children Suzy Bunt, 30, and Roger Comber, 34, praising staff for helping her cope with the tragedy.

She said: "We unveil this plaque with pride and as a testimony to the contribution he made to this prison."

Later she told the Argus: "Ray loved this prison with a passion. The welfare of the staff and the inmates was of paramount importance to him. He would have been touched that this day fell on his son Daniel's birthday.

"He was an extremely special person who commanded a lot of respect in the prison service and is missed terribly by his family."

Mr Comber's deputy governor, Tony Evans, said: "As a boss he was knowledgeable, staff orientated and knew the job inside out. He did a great deal for Usk prison and the prison service as a whole. As a friend he'll be sorely missed."

*Pictured, second left, Janine Comber, with Daniel Comber, Roger Comber, Suzy Bunt and baby Harvey at the ceremony in honour of former Usk Prison governor Ray Comber