COUNCILLORS from Dinas Powys have paid tributes to "one of the huge characters of the village" who died after a short illness.

Valerie Hartrey was a member of Plaid Cymru since 1989 and a Vale councillor since 2002. She had also been the chairwoman of the Dinas Powys Community Council three times.

Mrs Hartrey died in Llandough Hospital on May 31 of pneumonia at the age of 78.

In a statement from Dinas Powys Community Council, Mrs Hartrey was said to have made "Dinas the wonderful community it is today".

She was described as a "hard working member of Plaid Cymru" who "served with distinction on the Vale County Council Planning Committee".

The statement said: "Val's days were spent supporting and organising many local events. Her list of achievements was massive and she took an active part in many community organisations as chair of the village show committee, trustee of Dinas Powys Voluntary Concern and Murchfield Community Association. She was a volunteer at the community cinema, served as a community Councillor, was a keen rambler and a member of the Parochial Church Council of the Parish of St Andrew Major, and was an altar server at St Andrews Church.

"Val was also a good supporter of the poppy day appeal and assisted in the New Year Day concert.

"Val's death will leave a massive hole in our community and our love and sympathies go to her husband Mike and to her family."

Adding his tribute, Cllr John Thomas, leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “I was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Valerie Hartrey, a committed servant to Dinas Powys through her work on the Community Council and previously a long-serving member of the Vale Council.

“I’d like to express my condolences to Valerie’s family at this difficult time and pass on the deepest sympathies of all at the Vale Council.”