Thousands of pounds have been donated in just four days to a fundraising website set up by a popular county councillor who was tragically killed while training on his bike for a charity event.

Cllr Paul James, 61, who set up the website in February, had hoped to raise £10,000 for Bronglais and Morriston hospitals to give back to the people who treated his heart condition.

He had planned a 140-mile cycle ride between the two hospitals, which will still take place in May, but sadly Cllr James died during a training session in an incident involving two cars.

Friends have pledged to carry on with ‘Paul’s Heart Ride’ and the fundraising, after getting the go-ahead from his family.

Tributes from family and friends have been pouring in for the Llanbadarn councillor, and over £4,000 has been donated to his JustGiving page since Friday, taking the total so far to £5,157.

Cllr James leaves behind wife Jane and four children, Brett, Bryony, Cameron and Rhodri.

A statement from Cllr James’ family said: “Paul was a loving husband and father who lived life to the full. Paul had a fantastic sense of humour and his family has many memories that will make us smile when we think of him. Paul will be greatly missed.”

The family statement added: “He had served in the British Army and French Foreign Legion. He continued to serve his community in various jobs in his home town, as well as being a community and county councillor. Paul loved his sport and was training for a charity ride to raise money for the heart ward at Bronglais and Morriston, where he received heart treatment.”

A post on Paul’s Facebook page on Monday confirmed the charity cycle event would still go ahead on 25 and 26 May.

“It is the wishes of the family that Paul’s Heart Ride goes ahead as planned”, the post by Gary James explained.

Cllr James’ fundraising page can be found here.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which took place on the A487 between Bow Street and Waunfawr, at around 5.30pm on Thursday, 11 April.