TRIBUTES to a leading Newport councillor have come from both sides of the political divide.

Cllr Lloyd Delahaye, cabinet member for public affairs, died just a week before he was hoping to win the election for his Bettws seat.

Cllr Delahaye, 64, died in the early hours of yesterday morning at the Royal Gwent Hospital.

It is understood members of his family were with him.

Cllr Delahaye and his wife Val had two children and were grandparents.

He had undergone heart bypass surgery in the past and was admitted to hospital recently for checks and adjustments to his medication.

But we reported that he continued working from his hospital bed and wanted residents to know he was seeking re-election.

Fellow Bettws councillor and Labour colleague Glyn Jarvis said although he knew Cllr Delahaye was ill his death had come as a shock.

"I will certainly miss him. He was a wonderful and loyal friend and a great working colleague."

He added Cllr Delahaye was hoping to serve a third term on the city council.

"He was looking forward to fighting this election and he was frustrated he could not get out to campaign."

Cllr Jarvis added that he and his wife Glenys felt terribly sorry for his family.

The other Bettws councillor, Noel Trigg, also expressed sympathy for Cllr Delahaye's family and said he was very sad at the news.

"We were a good team working together and it will be a great loss to the people of Bettws and Newport city council."

He added that, like himself, Cllr Delahaye was a regular worshipper at St David Lewis RC Church.

Conservative Cllr Peter Davies said: "He was a gentleman and, as one who had the job of opposing him as Tory spokesman on public affairs, I thought he was far too nice to oppose effectively.

"He did a lot of good work for the city."

Cllr Davies described his opposite number as a very conscientious cabinet member.

As a result of Cllr Delahaye's death, the poll in the Bettws ward will have to be postponed until a later date.

It is the second vote to be delayed in Newport. A by-election will also be held in St Julians after the death of another candidate, and sitting councillor, Liberal Democrat Pat Bull.

This would mean there would be six vacancies following Thursday's elections which may not be filled until June.

Labour did have a six seat majority so if the vote is close this week, the by-elections could become crucial in who holds power in the next council.

In another twist, the city will be without a major for some weeks.

Cllr Noel Trigg was due to take up the post at the annual general meeting in May but he will have to wait for the result of the delayed election in his Bettws ward.

But Cllr Trigg said being mayor was secondary to the loss of Cllr Delahaye.

Newport's mayor chairs full council meeting as well carrying out civic duties.

Someone will be appointed to take over the role at council meetings and could also ask someone to undertake civic duties but not as mayor.

A decision will be made at the council's annual general meeting on May 13.