A FUNERAL service and reception will be held tomorrow to remember the life of “dedicated public servant” Cllr Keith Reynolds.

The leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cllr Reynolds died on Monday, April 10, at the age of 71. He had recently announced he was planning to step down as council leader in May.

His funeral will be held tomorrow in St Sannan’s Church, Bedwellty, at 2.15pm. The reception takes place at Llechwen Hall.

Members of the community who knew Cllr Reynolds are invited to the ceremonies to pay their respects.

Cllr Reynolds started his political career in 1979 and spent 38 years working in local government, representing his community of Aberbargoed for almost four decades, and acting as the leader of Caerphilly council from 2014.

He had been planning to step down as council leader to “focus on his health and spend more time with his family”.

Deputy council leader Cllr David Poole described him as an “outstanding public servant”, who had an “unrelenting drive and determination to do his very best for his local community”.

“He was a wonderful colleague and friend, and I know everyone will join me in offering our sincere condolences to Keith’s wife Sheila, his sons, grandsons, family and friends at this difficult time,” he added.

Cllr Reynolds was also a colliery blacksmith for more than 29 years, with 16 of those spent in Bargoed and 13 at Penallta Colliery.