TRIBUTES have been coming in for a well known and "controversial" Holyhead councillor and businessman who has died.

John Victor Owen, or "JV," as he was widely known has died at the age of 73 after a short illness.

Mayor of Holyhead, Cllr Keith Thomas, said: "Everyone at Holyhead Town Council wishes to offer their deepest condolences to his family.

"He gave a lifetime of dedication to public service and politics in Holyhead.

"He fought hard for the town and the area he represented Parc A'r Mynydd and will be sorely missed."

Former Holyhead mayor Cllr Ann Kennedy said: "John, or 'J V,' as we knew him, was a larger than life person. He was a shrewd business man, generous and at times controversial.

"He was a dedicated councillor to his constituents and above all a family man. He will be missed by many of us who worked with him on various committees."

JV was a former Anglesey county councillor who initially represented the Labour Party and later served as an independent.

He was also mayor of his hometown on a number of occasions.

He ran an ice cream business in Holyhead and his vans were a regular sight in the area.

He was also an Isle of Anglesey County Council chairman. He is the third county council chairman to have died in the last month, following the deaths of Cllr John Meirion Davies and Councillor Gwyn Jones.