THE former RSPCA chief inspector for Gwent died at the age of 80.

Bryn Williams was a man who was devoted to the welfare of animals but he also loved meeting people.

Popular Mr Williams began caring for horses as a child at his home in Llangollen, North Wales, and kept them all his life. He once sold a horse to rock star Mick Jagger.

It was his love for horses that led him to leave his job at a medical research company in England and join the RSPCA, said Mrs Williams at their home in Bassaleg.

"In those days they took you on as a couple," explained Mrs Williams.

"As the wife you had to be prepared to deal with members of the public and answer the phone.

"We were on call 24 hours a day."

After training, Mr Williams was sent to Gwent.

Their sons, Tony, Dale and David, remembered the house was always full of animals.

Over the years this included baby hares, sheep, ferrets and even an owl.

In 1966 the couple dropped everything to voluntarily work at the scene of the Aberfan tragedy.

The following year Mr Williams won the Anderson Award for outstanding work in the relief of animal suffering and he also later received the RSPCA certificate for meritorious service.

Even after his retirement as a Chief Inspector he continued working for the organisation as a market inspector until he was 70.

He still enjoyed visiting Newport's cattle market and was due to visit it on Wednesday when he died from a suspected heart attack while driving his car on Cardiff Road.

"He liked meeting people and he was devoted to the welfare of animals," said Mrs Williams. "The RSPCA once commented that we made a great team and they held him in high esteem."