FORMER Blaenau Gwent councillor and Gwent county councillor Wyndham Vowles, pictured, has died. He was 77.

Mr Vowles, of Cefn Crescent, Cwmtillery, collapsed while out shopping. He leaves a widow, Nell, and two daughters.

He was a former chairman of the highways committee on Gwent county council and was elected to Blaenau Gwent county borough council in 1995. He stood down at the 1999 elections. Mr Vowles, represented the Cwmtillery ward. Councillor John Hopkins, leader of Blaenau Gwent council, said: "Wyndham was very well-respected."