TRIBUTES have been paid to a prominent Newport businessman who died after a battle with cancer.

Jeff Williams, owner of Jeff Williams Carpets, died from oesophageal cancer at the age of 74 earlier this month.

The tradesman was well-known for his work at the Chepstow Road shop he had owned since the early 1980s.

Born and raised in Newport, Mr Williams started his career as an estimator and planner on ships, which led him to working on the QE2.

After this he became a carpet fitter for local retailers and was mainly associated with Beechwood Carpets before setting up his own business in the mid-1970s from his garage.

Soon his business expanded to a retail unit in Lyne Road, Crindau and, soon after, he made the move to the recognisable shop in Chepstow Road.

As well as selling and fitting carpets, Mr Williams would also make rugs and sell at open air markets on the weekends.

Soon he started to take more time off, particularly in Spain, with his wife Sue.

His daughter Louanne, who now runs the business said: "It was in August 2011, whilst in work, that we noticed that he didn’t seem well. He had to stop driving due to balance issues and he had to stop working whilst further investigations were carried out.”

Eventually Mr Williams was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

He retired in August 2012 and handed over the business, which has since expanded to the neighbouring shop to form Beechwood Furnishings.

Treatment was deemed a success and Mr Williams was in remission, but the cancer had damaged his nervous system and left him wheelchair bound.

Despite the setback, Ms Williams described her father as a “true inspiration”: “He carried on the best he could and lived life to the full even though he was unable to get about unaided. He spent a lot more time in Spain whilst in remission. Here he also carried on his love for singing and would regularly be handed a microphone to give a song or two.”

However, Mr Williams fell unwell again in October 2016 and was later told that he had terminal oesophageal cancer.

With a goal to see his second grandson born in March, he battled the disease. Hundreds of people attended his funeral in St John’s Church.

The family also completed the St Davids Hospice 125 challenge, selling 125 cakes raising £335 at the wake.