A LOCAL authority has paid tribute to a former leader who has died.

Elwyn Edwards, a stalwart of Ruthin for many years, died last week.

Mr Edwards passed away peacefully at Ruthin Hospital on Tuesday.

A Ruthin member on Denbighshire County Council for many years, Mr Edwards was a former leader of the authority.

He was also a senior civil servant with the Ministry of Agriculture and Mr Edwards was also well known in golfing circles, being a former captain at Ruthin Pwllglas Golf Club.

He was the Denbighshire Golfing Union captain in 1998.

A spokesman for Denbighshire County Council said: “Denbighshire County Council expresses its sincere condolences and sympathy following the passing of its former chairman and leader Elwyn Edwards.

“Mr Edwards served as chairman of the council in 1999/2000 and as leader between 2000 and 2002.

"He served as a councillor from the formation of Denbighshire County Council in 1996 until 2008.”