The family of an award-winning farmer who died in a tragic tractor accident have paid tribute to him.

Richard Tudor, 45, died on Friday evening (April 3) while working at his family farm in Llanerfyl.

He was a well-known figure in the community, and was chair of the board of governors at Ysgol Dyffryn Banw, a former Dyffryn Banw FC manager, and wrote a monthly farming column in Plu'r Gweunydd.

Winner of the 2016 Farmers Weekly Beef Farmer of the Year award, Mr Tudor was in the process of converting his 290-hectare farm from beef to dairy and that conversion was on the brink of completion.

To broaden his farming knowledge, he had travelled the world, both as a Hybu Cig Cymru and Nuffield scholar, and had shared his research widely with the wider farming community as well as putting it into practice on his own farm.

Mr Tudor co-owned Llysun Farm, in Llanerfyl, with his parents Ann and Tom Tudor. He is survived by his wife Catrin and two children, Morgan, 17 and Lois, 15.

In a statement, the family of Mr Tudor said: "We lost an amazing man yesterday evening in a tragic tractor accident. My Dad/Richard was a man that will never be forgotten and there will always be a gap in his place.

"He meant so much to so many people and his enthusiasm and generosity will be missed by us all."

Mr Tudor was a highly respected farmer and many tributes from around the world have been paid to him on social media.

Politicians including the presiding officer Elin Jones AM described Mr Tudor's death as a "cruel loss", while Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones said he was "the future of Welsh farming and had so much to give." Former Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies said the loss will have a "wide impact" in the county. 

Farming union NFU Cymru said: "Richard was a great man who gave so much to Welsh and British agriculture and his loss will be deeply felt by all those who knew him."

Betsan Llwyd, headteacher of Ysgol Dyffryn Banw, said: "It is heartbreaking to think of all that Richard contributed to the life of Ysgol Dyffryn Banw and the whole community. 

"He was a faithful friend and Chair of Governors for over ten years. He was dedicated and loyal. His visions were inspiring to many here to the valley.

"He was one of the best."