TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Argus worker whose ashes were recently scattered with a firing of a cannon.

Penny Howe, 60, from Usk, died at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport on May 21 following a short illness.

Mrs Howe, who had worked in the Argus' newspaper sales department part-time for five years, was diagnosed with cancer and liver failure in the last few months.

Her husband Derek Howe described her as "very extrovert" and "outgoing" and said she was very much a people person.

She also leaves a son Andrew Roberts and grandson Jack who live in America.

Mr Howe said his wife wanted her ashes scattered in Usk Woods and in St David's, Pembrokeshire.

Some of her ashes were therefore scattered in the woods near Usk Castle last week after being shot out of a cannon on June 5 as part of the jubilee celebrations held by friends Henry and Rosie Humphreys.

He said: "Anybody who knew Penny knows she would want to go out with a bang. It was a celebration of her life."

Mr Howe said the sounding of canons also featured at Mrs Howe's funeral with the playing of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

He said the rest of her ashes will be scattered in St David's as this is a place she had visited with friends for 30 years.

Mr Howe said his wife was born in Newport and that her father was a well-known builder in the area.

He said she went to Cheltenham Ladies College and then studied drama in Cardiff.

At the age of 21 she went to work as head of drama at a school in East London but then took a change of course and became a staff manager for Marks and Spencer working at various stores around the country.

Mr Howe said his wife of 16 years was a Christian spiritual healer and was also vice president of Usk Show.

Argus colleague Carole Smith is doing the Race for Life in Cardiff on July 14 in Mrs Howe's memory.

Anyone wanting to sponsor Ms Smith can do by calling her on 01633 7777011.