Tributes have been paid to a much-loved Builth Wells man who has died after contracting coronavirus.

John Probert, 87, died at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny on Saturday, April 18, after being infected with Covid-19 while recovering from another illness.

Mr Probert was the most senior member of the choir having joined more than 50 years ago, and was a former president of the Builth Wells Royal British Legion, Epynt Motor Club, and a founder member of the Builth Wells Roundtable.

He was a motor mechanic by trade who had worked is way up to own the Smithfield Garage in Builth Wells many years ago.

Builth Male Voice Choir have paid tribute to their former president who made a “major contribution to the life of the choir and the wider community of Builth Wells”.

In a statement, the choir said: “John was 87 years old and had been suffering ill health for a number of years and it is particularly upsetting that it was a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic that he lost his life.

“John played a very active part in the life of Builth Male Voice Choir during his 50-year membership. In the late 1980s and early 1990s he served as Chairman and he led the Choir on its first visit to Germany. Later in the 1990s and early 2000s John became the choir’s third president, a duty he performed with pride and dignity always making new members at ease and welcome.

“John was a loyal and dependable member of the choir singing in the second tenor section. He rarely missed a practice except in recent times when due to his failing health he was unable to attend.

“However, his interest in the choir never waned and even in the past few weeks he was asking how things in the Choir were going.”

They added: “Our thoughts and sympathy are extended to Glenys and family in their grief at the loss of a loving husband and father. John made a major contribution to the life of the Choir and the wider community of Builth Wells and he will be sorely missed.”

Described as a "loving husband", Mr Probert is survived by his widow Glenys, his five sons, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A private family funeral was held on Saturday, April 25.