Tributes have been paid to a respected climate scientist from Aberdyfi who has died.

Sir John Houghton, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, died on Wednesday, aged 88, from what is believed to be Covid-19, according to his granddaughter.

The Denbighshire-born climate change scientist, who described global warming as "a weapon of mass destruction", was co-chair of the IPCC when it shared the Nobel Peace Prize.

He spent his final years living in Aberdyfi.

Sir John went to Rhyl Grammar School, where his dad taught.

He was so capable at physics he got the highest marks in Wales and won a scholarship for Oxford University aged just 16 years old, where he studied maths and physics.

In 1958 he became an Oxford professor, later becoming chair of the World Climate Research Programme.

His granddaughter Hannah Malcolm wrote: “When I was younger, my consistent memory of him was warnings over the devastation waiting us if we didn’t act on climate change.

"And I remember thinking how glad I was that scientists like him were in charge. But of course it isn’t the scientists in charge.

"He faced a lifetime of lobbyists and corporations trying to undermine his work, question his motives, and distract from evidence.

"But my other consistent memory will be his deep faith that he was doing work in service of the God he loved, and in service of the world he loved."

“His death is suspected Covid-19 based on symptoms and circumstance. It isn’t officially confirmed, and he is being tested”

Paul Allen, at the Corris-based Centre of Alternative Technology, paid tribute this afternoon, saying: "Sir John Houghton was a great inspiration for CAT’s Zero Carbon Britain research, and a good friend.

“Years before net-zero carbon became a goal of governments around the world, Sir John encouraged us to explore solutions rooted in what the physics of the climate science demands, rather than what is judged to be politically palatable.

"We worked with him at several UN climate summits, and in 2016 he made a generous donation to CAT that allowed us to create the annual Sir John Houghton Bursary for our postgraduate students, helping support the next generation in exploring climate solutions.

"We will miss his wisdom, deeply held beliefs and foresight. Our deepest condolences to all of Sir John’s family and friends."