WREXHAM is mourning the loss of legendary Leader photographer Les Evans. 

Mr Evans, 74, of Coedpoeth, passed away overnight following a long battle with cancer. 

He leaves behind wife Sheila and children Gillian and Colin. 

Mr Evans worked for the Leader for more than three decades and became a well-known character throughout Wrexham. 

He also became synonymous with Wrexham FC, travelling up and down the country following the club, and taking action shots loved by Reds fans. 

Mrs Evans, 76, paid tribute. She said: “He was loyal, funny, entertaining, a good dad and a good husband. 

“We met in the 1960s and he started off working for BICC Cables but didn’t like it, so worked on the buses while doing his freelance photography. 

“That’s when he got picked up by the Wrexham Leader when the then editor Reg Herbert gave him his big break. 

“The job suited him down to the ground - he liked people and people liked him, he didn't distinguish whether you were high-up wearing a suit, or a scruff, he treated everyone the same." 

She added: “He loved the Leader and he loved Wrexham FC - he would have travelled up and down the country and done it all for free. 

“He gave a lot of his photos away - he could have been a very rich man but he was generous to a fault. 

“People used to call him ‘Les the Legend’ and that was about right, i’ll really miss him.” 

Wrexham FC's skipper Dean Keates also paid tribute to Les.

He said: "He was a great bloke and so much a part of the club during my time.

“Les was at every game and was always at the training ground to make sure he got the first photograph of any newsworthy event. 

“He loved to chat about anything that was going on and like a good newspaperman had the nose for a story. 

“We’ll all miss him.” 

In a statement, the club said: "Everyone at the Racecourse was so saddened to hear of the passing of club photographer Les Evans.

"Present at so many important moments in the club’s history, you quickly lose count when trying to recall them all. 

"We can only offer our sincerest condolences to Les’ family and friends at this very sad time."

More tributes to Les will be in the Leader on Monday.