Tributes have been paid to a former Milford Haven Mayor who died on Monday.

John Lee, of Gelliswick Road, Hakin, was born and raised in Milford Haven and served as mayor of the town in 1993-1994.

Town councillor John Roberts went to Milford Grammar School and completed his Navy apprenticeship alongside John in Davenport in the 1950s. Their careers took them in different directions until they returned to their home town and were reunited in the 1990s.

Cllr Roberts said: “It is very sad news.

“He was very well thought of in the Navy and a pleasant and reliable man.”

After spending more than 20 years in the Navy, ten of those as a submariner, John returned to his home town with his wife Ann and opened a corner shop in Gelliswick Road.

The 76-year-old was a keen swimmer, a member of the Milford Haven Probus club and former president of the town’s chamber of trade.

Close friend John Morgan said John always had the best interests of the town at heart and had kept himself very busy after retiring as a shopkeeper.

“He loved Milford Haven and was a central figure in the town.

“He had just begun writing a book about his life and in September had signed up to complete a writing course.”

His funeral will take place this afternoon (Thursday) at Parc Gwyn Crematorium in Narberth at 1pm.