USK was described as a “town in mourning” yesterday when more than 600 people turned out for the funeral of a popular Monmouthshire landlord.

Tony Lyons, 53, who was landlord and chef at The Royal Hotel in Usk for 30 years, died suddenly last Wednesday after suffering from a brain haemorrhage.

A service for Newport-born Mr Lyons was held at St Mary’s Church in the town yesterday, where the well-known publican was described by Reverend Julian Gray as an “institution in this community.”

My Lyons moved to Usk to run The Royal Hotel 30 years ago, and had planned 30th anniversary celebrations for this summer.

Family friend Hamish Sandison paid tribute to his friend of 23 years, saying: “Tony was the Royal, and the Royal was Tony.”

He said Mr Lyons' pub had felt like home to people of “many faiths and none”, and there was applause in the church when Mr Sandison announced that The Royal would be reopened by friends of Mr Lyons next Tuesday.

Arrangements for who will take over the pub permanently will be made at a later date.

Patricia Hunt, landlady at The Inn Between pub, said Usk was a “town in mourning” and read out a poem written for Mr Lyons, while friend Michael Millet said Mr Lyons had run The Royal for the people, for the community and for the parties.

The congregation sung hymns “I watch the sunrise” and “How great thou art” before returning to The Royal for Mr Lyons’ wake.

He was buried at the natural burial ground at Usk Castle Chase.

Mr Lyons leaves behind his partner of 18 years Mike Corbett, mother Nona, 78, and sisters Claire Hiett, 52, and Alex Lyons, 34.