THE pensioner who died after diving into a pond to save his dog lived for his pets and would have done anything to save them, neighbours said today.

Ronald Meredith, 76, jumped into the Pen-y-Fan Pond, near Oakdale, to save his springer spaniel.

Today it was revealed it is the second tragedy to hit the family. Mr Meredith's 49-year-old son Bryan was found dead two years ago after going missing.

Widower Mr Meredith, of Fflorens Road, Treowen, Newbridge, was described by his brother Glyn as a keen fisherman and dog lover.

He said he was not surprised by his decision to dive in to try to rescue one of his beloved pets. Neighbours spoke of their shock at the death of the man who had lived in the same street for 35 years.

Graham Paterson said: "He never passed without stopping the car for a chat. It was always about sport - he loved rugby - and he also loved his dogs."

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said Mr Meredith was a "very pleasant and polite man". She said: "He always drove very carefully and watched out for the children."

Mr Meredith's surviving son Robert lives in America, and is believed to be flying to Britain today to arrange a funeral.

His younger son Bryan went missing from his home in Risca in April 2002 and Mr Meredith appealed in the Argus for his son to return. Bryan suffered from depression and had gone to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport on April 7, but left before having treatment.

His body was found on Hafodyrynys mountain by a walker, on May 8, 2002. An inquest recorded a verdict that he killed himself after hearing he had become depressed after his mother died six years earlier.