TRIBUTES have poured in following the death of a Glynarthen man who went on to become a leading light in the Welsh Pony and Cob Society following a long and successful career with supermarket giant Tesco.

Tom Geraint Hughes, the society’s chairman, who was widely known as “Tomi Tesco”, died suddenly at his home at Pwll Cornel Uchaf, Penrhiwllan, on 7 March.

He and his wife Sarah ran the Ionas Stud, having only recently returned to the area where Mr Hughes was born and raised after living in the Vale of Glamorgan for many years.

On Friday hundreds of mourners converged upon Glynarthen Chapel to pay their respects to the 57-year-old father-of-two, in what was one of the largest funerals there in recent years.

A family statement read: “This has been a huge loss in our lives and at this very difficult time we are eternally grateful to those who helped us make a sad occasion a tremendous tribute to Geraint’s life.

“We are immensely proud of the man he was and what he achieved.”

Mr Hughes also leaves a son, Daniel, daughter Nerys as well as sisters Bethan and Eirlys, mother Edna and a grandson.

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