The Wilfred Owen festival co-ordinator has paid tribute to the war poet's nephew, who passed away this week.

Chris Woods, who has organised the festival which takes place in Oswestry later this year, has paid tribute to Peter Owen who passed away on Tuesday, July 31.

Chris said: "Peter who was the President of the Wilfred Owen Association had agreed to be the patron of the festival and was wonderfully supportive of Oswestry’s efforts to commemorate the centenary of Wilfred Owen’s death in the town of his birth.

"He was very much looking forward to attending some of the events during the festival and was particularly pleased that he would be opening the festival at the official launch and even more pleased that he would be unveiling the new life size bronze statue of Wilfred Owen in the town’s Cae Glas park.

"Peter had been kept up to date with both the festival and the statues progress with regular updates and photos of the process. He was delighted at the way local artist and sculptor Tim Turner had portrayed his nephew and very happy that our local school children were to be involved in the project with their work being inscribed into the statue.

"His passing will leave a huge hole in the festival and the centenary commemorations but more importantly he will be deeply missed by his family and friends. The organising committee of the Wilfred Owen Festival would like to extend to his wife Elizabeth and his family our sincere condolences. Rest in Peace Peter."