The family of the man who helped print the first issue of the South Wales Guardian has paid tribute to a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Douglas Jenkins, known as Doug, has died at the age of 91.

Paying tribute to her father, Doug's daughter Avril said: "He always had very fond memories of working at the Guardian print works. In his earlier days he completed his apprenticeship in Jones and Mainwaring Printers at the bottom of Quay Street, where Ameanah's Indian Restaurant currently is.

"He then moved on to the Guardian where he became foreman."

Recalling his time at the paper Avril said: "I remember after my dad and the team had printed the papers he would then have to go delivering until two or three o'clock in the morning with my mum.

"Sometimes I was able to go with them and I would be sitting on his handbrake in the middle of the car because it was full to the brim with newspapers.

"There was no thought for safety in them days."

Doug worked at the Guardian right up until it was sold in 1980 to a firm called Courier Press, based in Royal Lemington Spa.

"He then bought machinery and ran his own print works from his garage at his house in Penybanc for a while printing leaflets," added Avril.

But while some will remember Doug's earlier time at the printers, many will remember Doug and his wife Maureen from their time running the well-know Brynaman store Siop Laria.

Avril said, "The shop was a family run store that drew people in from all over the Amman Valley. It sold everything you could possibly need.

"A lot of people knew dad because of his time working at Siop Laria."

Doug ran the shop with his wife of 67 years until they retired in 2002.

The couple, who moved to Brynaman in 1981, have two daughters, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

"He was a wonderful man always smiling and singing," added Avril.

"Right up until his last moments he was singing Jim Reeves' I Love You Because.

"That was a very special moment and brings me to tears every time I think about it.

"He did a lot with his life but he always spoke fondly of his time at the Guardian and said they were some of his best working years.

"He will be missed by many."

Douglas Norman Jenkins passed away peacefully at Glanaman hospital on December 22 with the funeral at the Chapel of Rest in Betws on January 6.