FORMER Mayor of Abergavenny and Honorary Burgess of the town Ray Hill has died suddenly at his home in Chapel Road.

Mr Hill served as Mayor of Abergavenny on five occasions after being elected to Abergavenny Town Council as an independent councillor in the late 1970s and was widely respected for his forthright views.

On his retirement from the town council he became one of only a handful of people to be made an Honorary Burgess of the town in the last thirty years.

He was a well known figure in the town - remembered by many for his work at The Angel Hotel as well as for his many years of council service.

He is survived by his wife Muriel, several nieces and a nephew.