Hay-on-Wye is mourning one of greatest champions, Nigel Birch.

Nigel, who was a town councillor for more than 40 years, was twice mayor and dedicated his free time to his home town, died on Tuesday, December 23, aged 79, at Bronllys Hospital after losing his battle against cancer.

The 79-year-old, who was also a familiar face behind the counter of Hay & Brecon Farmers, where he worked for 50 years, was described as 'one of the greatest people of Hay.'

Nigel was diagnosed with cancer a year ago and despite a down turn in his health in the last two months of his life, he had worked up until a few weeks before his death and had managed to attend a meeting of Hay Town Council in November.

His death has shook the town he loved so much and Mayor Fiona Howard said: "It was a complete shock. Everyone knew he was ill but as he was such a fighter no one expected it. They though he would be home for Christmas.

Fiona, who spoke fondly of her council colleague at the funeral service held at Hereford Crematorium on January 5 added: "He loved this town. Everything was for the town, no matter what. He was colourful. He was Hay. Everything about him was Hay. He was so loyal to everything about Hay."

To read more about the life of Nigel and how much he was loved by all in Hay, buy this weeks Brecon and Radnor Express - on sale now.