A RENOWNED international pianist and 'gentleman' from Monmouthshire has died, aged 73.

Geoffrey Buckley, from Old Cottage, Treadam, near Llanvetherine, was on holiday in Spain when he was suddenly taken ill, and he died peacefully in hospital in Barcelona.

Mr Buckley was a renowned pianist, who was born in St Anne's, Lancashire, in 1930, and trained at the Royal Manchester College of Music.

He was resident pianist at Aberystwyth University for 12 years, where he worked with the string quartet.

Mr Buckley then worked as head of keyboard studies at the College of Music and Drama in Cardiff until 1990, when he left to concentrate fully on concert work.

Mr Buckley performed at the Wigmore Hall, London, in most of the UK's major cities and as far away as Moscow in his career.

Charles Farncombe, one of the country's top conductors, was a neighbour and a friend to Mr Buckley for almost 30 years, and said: "Geoffrey was a gentleman and a very good man.

"He did a number of concerts and piano lessons in the area, and he was always happy to help out and take responsibilities.

"Whenever people went to listen to a recital or performance of Geoffrey's they always knew they would hear the very best.

"It is a very sad loss to the whole district and the world of music."