THE self-styled "King" of Hay-on-Wye, Richard Booth, has died aged 80.

Mr Booth helped the border town become renowned for its book shops.

The renowned Hay resident once owned the largest second-hand bookshop in Europe, and was crowned with an MBE.

He was a determined entrepreneur who persevered in his quest to create a book town.

Mr Booth even resorted to such stunts as his 1977 declaration of independence for Hay in which he proclaimed himself King and his horse was made Prime Minister.

The aim of the independence was to boost home products and return prosperity to the area, Mr Booth said.

Mr Booth, who owned Hay Castle Bookshop and Richard Booth's Bookshop, was credited with the revival of the town's Literary Festival and collected an MBE for his services to tourism in Powys.