Tributes have been paid to one of the longest-serving town criers in Wales.

John Thomas who was Tenby's town crier for over 30 years sadly passed away at home on Saturday.

Seventy-two-year-old John was a well-known character in the town, not only for his civic duties, but also as owner of Clarice Toy Shop in Upper Frog Street, with his wife Caroline, a longstanding member of Tenby Town Council.

Born and brought up in Monkton, in his early years, John was a keen rugby player at school and played for Pembroke RFC, as well as Tenby United.

Wearing his colourful robes, John, affectionately known as Yobbler, was a big man with a voice and heart to match and was rightly proud of his role as town crier.

He was often seen accompanying the Mayor at official functions and he was especially proud when his wife Caroline was herself the town's first citizen.

He was a great ambassador for Tenby, promoting the town of Tenby throughout the world while attending town crier events and competitions, and indeed was responsible for bringing four national crier contests to Tenby.

John was proud too of his celebrity status when he was the only living person depicted on a giant mural in the indoor market charting the town's history.

He can be seen in his distinctive robes alongside famous figures associated with Tenby such as Elizabeth I, Augustus John and Nelson.

John, who was a full member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers, served on its executive committee for many years.

In 2008, the then Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, presented John with a medal of meritorious service from the Guild in recognition of all the hardwork he had done. He was only the eighth person to ever receive such an award.

Three years ago an appeal was launched to find a younger person to take over the town crier duties from John, but in the absence of a successor, he was determined to carry on his role despite suffering ill health.

Among those to pay tribute to John this week was Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs. Julie Evans.

She said: "It was with great sadness that we learned of John's passing. He will not only be a tremendous loss to us as a council, but also to the whole of Tenby.

"John was a true gentleman and will be remembered for his immense contribution to the community in his many roles, most particularly in his role as town crier which he performed so magnificently over so many years and made us all so proud.

"We join with Caroline and family in feeling the loss of a great character and friend."

Secretary of the Ancient and Honorable Guild of Town Criers, David Peters, said: "John was a long serving member of the Guild and did a great deal to promote the art of town crying not only in Tenby, but nationally.

"He was a great servant to his town and the wider community of town criers. He will be missed by all who knew him and by the AHGTC."

John was also chairman of the Tenby branch of the Royal British Legion.

Branch president, Gordon Prime, said: "John was a loyal and hard-working member and will be sorely missed."

In addition to Caroline, John leaves his son Ian and daughter Kerri, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The funeral takes place at St. Mary's Church, Tenby, on Wednesday, March 2, at 11 am, followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn, Narberth, at 12.15 pm.

There will be family flowers only, with donations in lieu to the British Diabetic Association or Tenby RNLI, c/o the funeral directors, Messrs. W. and M. J. Rossiter and Sons Ltd., The Old Rectory, The Norton, Tenby.