"A VERY fitting tribute to a wonderful, academic scholar" — that's how the memorial service of a great Llanelli Welsh-language campaigner has been described by friends.

The service, held in Welsh, for historian and author Professor Hywel Teifi Edwards, who passed away on January 4, took place in Bethesda Chapel, in Llangennech, on Saturday.

The chapel, which seats 750 people, was filled to the brim with family and friends — many of whom came from the village where Professor Edwards had spent 45 years of his life.

His son, BBC news anchorman Huw Edwards, said he and his family had been overwhelmed by the number of people attending the service to hear guest speakers pay tribute to a "well-loved and highly respected" individual.

Mr Edwards: "It was also great to see so many people from Llangennech.

"We were hoping lots of people would come, as they did at the funeral, but when we entered the chapel it was an amazing turnout.

"The service was very moving.

"Overall we wanted to incorporate three themes — dad's love of Wales, literature and the Welsh language.

"We feel we did this, and it was a fitting tribute to a man who had a great personality and a passion for life."

During the service, guest speakers included close friends the Archbishop Meirion Evans and The Rev Cynwil Williams, who received rapturous applause from guests on hearing several tales about Mr Edwards's fascinating life and personality.

The final hymn performed was a highly emotional rendition of the Welsh anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.

Among those at the service included radio pundit Roy Noble, town historian and close friend John Edwards, and Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones.

Renowned historian John Edwards said townsfolk "would never see a service like this again in our lifetime".

"This was a very fitting tribute to a wonderful academic scholar," he said

"It was a full house, with every seat taken.

"The choir songs were excellent, and the tributes were very inspiring — to say the least.

"The singing from those at the service was also highly charged and emotional.

"It brought a tear to my eye."

Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones said she was also blown away by the standard of service describing it as "beautiful and moving".

She added: "It was a great reminder of what an enormous gap Hywel will leave behind in the community.

"He would have loved the tributes.

"They were funny and a true reminder of his personality — and some of his bad habits."

victoria.williams@swwmedia.co.uk