Tributes have been paid to former Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council Robin Evans who died recently.

Mr Evans from Newport was Chairman of the Authority from 2008 to 2009, and also served as a member of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

He stood down at the last council elections in 2012 having served as a county councillor for eight years.

Current Chairman of the Council, Tom Richards, has paid tribute to his predecessor.

Councillor Richards said that Mr Evans was highly regarded on all sides of the Council Chamber.

“Those of us who have worked with Robin over the years have fond memories of him” said Councillor Richards.

“As a retired British Army officer who had served overseas and later a restaurateur, he was a very interesting character with a fund of amusing tales.

“Our sympathy of course goes to his family and friends.”

Born and brought up in Boncath, Mr Evans joined Sandhurst after leaving school, later serving with the Royal Tank Regiment in England and Germany.

He also served in the Congo as part of the United Nations Force, while on a secondment to the Ghanian Army.

After he left the army, Councillor Evans trained as a chef at Bristol with legendary chef Keith Floyd, who served with him in the army.

He then returned to Pembrokeshire to open The Pantry restaurant in Newport, which he ran for 16 years, achieving entries in the Egon Ronay and Good Food guides among other awards.