A long-serving Llanbadarn Fawr councillor has been tragically killed while in training for a mammoth bike ride to raise money for hospitals which treated his heart condition.

Cllr Paul James, who served the Llanbadarn Fawr Sulien ward for 15 years, was involved in a crash while out on his bike on the A487 between Bow Street and Waunfawr yesterday.

Two cars were involved in the incident which happened at around 5.30pm and police are appealing for witnesses to contact them.

Cllr James, an ex-military man who worked in security for Aberystwyth University, was in the middle of training for a bike ride next month in a bid to raise £10,000 for life-saving equipment at Bronglais and Morriston hospitals where he received “incredible care” for his heart condition.

Tributes have been paid to Cllr James for his hard work representing residents in Llanbadarn.

Ceredigion AM Elin Jones was one of the people who paid tribute to Cllr James.

She said: "Heartbreaking news to hear of the loss of my great friend Paul James. Such a huge loss to so many people and causes, but especially his family.

"His family came first, always, then his residents, then, not far behind, all the rest of us.

"He served his community of Llanbadarn with passion and diligence, and was loyal to all his causes."

Fellow Llanbadarn councillor Gareth Davies said the loss would be a huge blow, not just to Llanbadarn, but Ceredigion as a whole.

He said: "He was an outstanding councillor who was very passionate about the community in which he served both as a county and community councillor and he will be a great loss to the community for which he was so proud to have served."