A community newspaper founder and prominent Welsh language campaigner has died aged 66.

Tributes have been paid to Ieuan Roberts, left, founder of Nene, which circulates in Rhosllannerchrugog, near Wrexham.

Ieuan was a loyal member of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Cymraeg, the Welsh Language Society, and was imprisoned in the 1970s for non-payment of a fine during a campaign for a Welsh television channel.

While in jail, he completed his degree from Swansea University.

Current Nene editor Gareth Hughes told Wrexham-based daily The Leader: “He was a staunch supporter of anything Welsh, he was very loyal and he was fierce fighter against injustice. He had a very strong sense of what was right.”

His fellow language campaigner Ffred Ffrancis added: “Ieuan has been a loyal member of Cymdeithas yr Iaith and only the other week he had been to our stand at the Eisteddfod to rejoin for the following year, full of hope.

“He was imprisoned in the 1970s as part of the campaign for a Welsh television channel for non-payment of a fine.

“And even though he could have had his fine paid by friends and family he refused and he stayed in prison to complete his final exams for Swansea University.

“While his friends went out in the world he returned to his home in Rhos and was a very important part of his community.”