The Archbishop of Wales has led tributes to former Dean of Brecon, Huw Jones, who died this week.

Bishop Huw served as Bishop of St Davids from 1996-2001. Originally from the Swansea Valley, he was educated at Pontardawe Grammar School, Bangor University and University College, Oxford.

He spent his entire ministry in Wales – starting as a curate in Aberdare and rising to Dean of Brecon, a post he held from 1982 to 1993, before being consecrated as Bishop of St Davids.

Academically gifted, he was also a sub-warden at St Michael’s Theological College, Llandaf – where he trained for ministry himself – and a theology lecturer at the University of Wales, Cardiff.

In his retirement he lived in Llandaf and served as an honorary assistant bishop.

He died, aged 82, on Tuesday, leaving his wife, Gwyneth, and daughters Lynwen and Gaenor.

The Archbishop, Dr Barry Morgan, said the prayers and thoughts of the Church in Wales were with his family.

He said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of Bishop Huw’s death. He served the church excellently as a theological teacher, priest, dean and bishop and was at the forefront of ecumenical affairs in the province. In retirement he helped out as an honorary assistant bishop in Llandaf and my debt to him is considerable.

"He was a lucid teacher and a very clear preacher. As he had been trained in philosophy and theology he had a very clear, systematic mind and that always came through in everything he said."

The recently retired Bishop of St Davids, Wyn Evans, also paid tribute to his predecessor.

He said: “Bishop Huw’s approachability, scholarship and abilities were much appreciated in the Diocese of St Davids. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gwyneth and his family at this sad time."