Roger Bright, a five-time Knighton mayor and long-serving County Times contributor, has died aged 88.

Mr Bright, of Garth Lane in Knighton, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, March 19. A celebration of his life will take place later in the year.

Roger was a community volunteer with more than 60 years of service to his town.

He was awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honour’s list in 2016.

Roger was also a well-known photographer in Radnorshire and ran Bright’s Studio for about 53 years and contributed to the County Times.

Former editor Nick Knight said: “The County Times has lost a very good friend, correspondent and photographer. He had been sending us his news, pictures and picture specials for longer than anyone currently serving on the paper.”

Roger began his volunteer work as a committee officer in the mid 1940s and as joint secretary of Knighton Youth Club. In the 1950s he became vice chairman of the Scout committee. He served on the show committee for 25 years and 14 years as chairman of the horticultural and handicraft committee.

Since 1996 Mr Bright chaired the Knighton and District Town Forum, serving as a town councillor for 23 years and five times as mayor.

As a member of the community centre, he played a part in the fundraising for Knighton Hospital to have an x-ray machine, raising £100,000.

He also spent 50 years as a member of the Knighton Royal Air Force Association.