HUNDREDS of people attended the unveiling in Chepstow of an artwork memorial to opera singer Karl Daymond.

Tiles decorated by members of Chepstow Mencap - where Mr Daymond ran singing sessions until his untimely death in August 2017, aged 52 - adorn a steel frame at the Castle Dell orchard, depicting things he loved, and songs he sang.

It includes a poem from Chepstow Mencap, describing how Mr Daymond, “a great big man with a great big smile”,came into group members’ lives in 2014.

It tells of his sessions enabling those helped by the charity to “experience the joy that music brings” while making “each individual feel so special”.

Mr Daymond's friend Dr Glyn Jones, a member of a singing group he rehearsed, said the unveiling during Chepstow's annual Wassail and Mari Lwyd was a lovely occasion, and thanked organisers for enabling it. A similar memorial has been erected at the town's bandstand orchard.

The idea came from a memorial garden Dr Jones and wife Jan saw in Honfleur, Normandy.

"It's lovely to be able to remember Karl like this. He was a big part of the community in Chepstow," said Dr Jones.

Sue Nicholson, who chairs Chepstow Mencap, called Mr Daymond a "magical" person who made a "huge" difference to members' lives.