THE cyclist who died as the result of a road traffic collision which occured late on Thursday night was a serving police officer Gwent Police has confirmed.

Sergeant Steve Burt, who comes from New Inn near Pontypool died when he was in collision with a car at Llanover at around 10.50 on Thursday night.

Sgt Burt was one of a group of nine cyclists which was travelling from the Abergavenny direction towards Pontypool when he was in collision with a blue Volkswagen Golf, driven by a 77 year old man from the Crickhowell area.

Sgt Burt was pronounced dead at Nevill Hall Hospital. The driver of the car was not injured.

Sergeant Burt is survived by his wife Debra, two daughters Sian and Louise, who are 25 and a son Jonathan, who is 22.

He had served with Gwent Police in a variety of roles for 27 years and received his long service and good conduct medal in 2005.

His family has paid tribute to him saying he always put them first.

"Steve was a loving husband and father who always put his family first. He made us laugh, he made us cry but most of all he made us feel loved and special. He will be remembered and missed by us all,"

Tribute has also been paid by Gwent's Chief Constable Carmel Napier who said, "Steve was a very well respected officer with an excellent, long standing, record of service. He will be very sadly missed by his friends and colleagues who remember Steve as a gentleman and true professional who always made a positive contribution to the force. Of course our thoughts remain with Steve's loved ones, especially his wife and children at this tragic time."