TRIBUTES are being paid to the former leader of Gwent county council, described as a “county champion” and “political colossus.”

Graham Powell, 86, died on Monday night after being diagnosed with bladder cancer six months ago.

His step son Jonathan Kyte, 40, said Mr Powell was hospitalised 15 days ago and died on Tuesday night.

He said Mr Powell worked as a railway guard before going into local politics and his career spanned around 58 years.

Mr Powell was the last leader of Gwent county council between 1981 and 1991 and then went on to lead Monmouthshire council between 1991 and 1994. A member of the Labour party, he represented Caldicot and also served as council chairman, chairman of education, chairman of planning and also stood for election as an MP in Exeter. He retired from local politics in 2004.

David Griffiths, former director of education at Gwent county council who worked with Mr Powell for 15 years, described Mr Powell as a “county champion.”

He said: “I found him a truly remarkable man, amazingly talented and very easy to work with. I think he did tremendous things for education in Gwent.

“He was a big man in stature, a big man in confidence and a big man in helping others. He devoted his life to trying to help other people.”

Mr Griffiths said that Mr Powell was “abundantly confident” and would always know how to handle a problem Labour councillor Armand Watts said Mr Powell was “a political colossus.”

He said: “He was a robust tenacious character and we will never see the likes of Graham Powell again.”

Mr Powell leaves behind his wife Sybil, 75, and stepson Mr Kyte.