THE widow of an Abergavenny pinball wizard says she is now ready to part with one of Britain’s biggest collections of pinball machines after her husband left them to her.

David Rolfe, 51, of Whites Close, had built up a collection of around 30 pinball machines when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in June, 2012.

The father-of-eight died nine months later and asked his wife, Elaine, 54, to look after the machines.

Mrs Rolfe said because the family had been so upset after his death, the machines remained locked away in a garage for three years.

“I can still see him on his favourite machines trying to beat his highest score,” she said.

"He was a wonderful man and he left us the pinball machines to remember him by.  

"But it's been hard for us to go in there without thinking of him playing or fixing one of the machines."

The pinball machines were gathering dust until the couple's son Harry, 20, decided to switch one on for a game recently.

And the flashing lights and whirring springs started to bring back happy memories for the family.

Elaine, mum to Joe, 29, Jenny, 27, Lily 27, Tom, 25, Jack, 24, Harry, 20, Daniel, 19 and Abbie, 17, says she is now ready to part with some of the collection.

"David was a fantastic father and husband and playing pinball was his hobby,” she said.

"Harry is taking after his dad and he loves to get the machines working to have a game.

"I want to hang on to David's favourite machines but it may be time to let some of them go to other pinball enthusiasts.”

Mr Rolfe, a web designer and foster father to 25 children, organised the annual Welsh classic pinball contest, attracting 60 players from all over the world.

He was ranked number 40 in the UK's list of pinball wizards and competed in tournaments across Europe.

"He started playing when he was in college and then bought his own pinball machine 20 years ago,” Mrs Rolfe explained.

"After that he kept buying them, some for just a few pounds while others were more expensive. He loved to tinker with them as much as playing on them.

"He organised major championships and people would come from all over the country to play on his machines."