TRIBUTES have been paid to a leading Blaenavon figure following the death last week of former Torfaen Councillor and rugby fanatic Neil Lewis MBE.

Mr Lewis, represented the Blaenavon ward on Torfaen County Council until 2008. He was also a serving Blaenavon town councillor, past chairman of the town council and played a lead role in the development of World Heritage status for Blaenavon.

He also served as chairman of Blaenavon Rugby Football Club and the Local Authority World Heritage Forum.

Mr Lewis died at his home in New James Street following a long illness on Tuesday, October 16, and was surrounded by his family.

Mr Lewis was first elected to Torfaen County Borough Council in 1995 and served as the executive member for regeneration.

The leader of Torfaen council, councillor Bob Wellington, said: "I worked closely with Neil for many years and considered him to be a close and personal friend and colleague.

"We shared a passion for the regeneration of the Eastern Valley and Neil set the benchmark for all councillors as someone who worked so selflessly for his community.

"Dapper, charming and endlessly engaging, Neil exuded a real love for the town of his birth and everyone was struck by his sincerity and drive. Local government and the community of Blaenavon have lost a great man - he will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him and my thoughts are with his family."

Mr Lewis was awarded an MBE in 2010 for services to industrial heritage and to the community in Blaenavon.

Another tribute from Blaenavon RFC said that Mr Lewis had raised the profile of the town's rugby club. A spokesman from the club added: "Neil was a very popular and hard working, chairman of Blaenavon RFC, life member and officer for the club as well as a Monmouthshire Union selector and a lifelong Welsh rugby fan. He did much to raise the profile of Blaenavon RFC during his long service to this club on and off the field. Our sympathy goes out to his wife Margaret and daughters Sarah and Jane at this sad time."

The funeral of Councillor Neil Lewis MBE will take place on Monday November 5. A service will be conducted at St. Peters Church Blaenavon at 11.30am and then move to Gwent Crematorium for 1pm.