HUNDREDS of mourners flocked to Newport Cathedral to say goodbye to a community stalwart who died last month.

Peter Howells, of St Woolos, lost his eight-month battle with cancer on January 25, and will be widely remembered for his voluntary service with mountain rescue teams, Gwent Police special constabulary and the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.

His funeral was marked with a police guard of honour and salute by Chief Constable Jeff Farrar, cortege of mountain rescue vehicles, and his coffin was carried on a mountain rescue stretcher.

Originally from Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, the 68-year-old electrical engineer spent 44 years as a special constable in Newport, retiring in December 2013 at the rank of special chief officer.

He was also a founding member of the Morlais Mountain Rescue team in 1963, later to become the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team (CBMRT), where he took up roles including team leader and chairman, alongside high-profile national and regional roles.

These efforts earned him an OBE in 2005.

Yesterday's cathedral service included hymns Guide me, O thou great Redeemer and Lord of All Hopefulness, alongside readings by brother-in-law Oliver Crispin, best man Don Cooper, Chief Constable Farrar, and St John Cymru Wales chief executive Keith Dunn.

Meanwhile, Mr Howell’s family – including wife Penny Brockman, daughter Rachel Hughes and nieces and nephews Josette, Hermione, Rollo and Fabian - placed a Scout belt, electrician’s tools, boots and gaiters, medals, police hat, pipe and bottle of Merlot next to his coffin to symbolise various facets of his life.

The crematorium service that followed featured the songs Who Wants To Live Forever by Queen, and Tina Turner's We Don't Need Another Hero.

Ms Brockman, who first met Mr Howells when he was her Duke of Edinburgh gold award assessor in the mid 1980s, told the Argus he was her "mentor, soulmate and husband".

She said: "We married in 2005 in St Mark’s, Newport, and enjoyed more than ten wonderful years of married life.

"It has been both comforting and supporting to receive so many letters and messages from all over the country and beyond from people sharing their memories of Peter. He touched so many people in many ways.

"He was generous in spirit and his giving, offering his time and support to help others while expecting nothing in return."

She added: "Within the mountain rescue team he encouraged and facilitated the full participation and involvement of women. He gave me every support and encouragement and I have no doubt I would never have dreamt I could achieve what I have – both within the Mountain Rescue team and my professional life – without his love and support.

"I was proud of him and he was proud and content with what he had achieved.

"He was a remarkable man who achieved remarkable things and enabled others to attain their own remarkable goals. I miss him enormously."