A plaque honouring legendary singer and entertainer Dickie Valentine has been unveiled on the bridge where he and two bandmates tragically died 50 years ago.

Dickie Valentine was one of the UK’s most popular musicians in the 1950s, and was on his way to a show at Caerphilly’s famous Double Diamond Club when his Hillman Avenger car span out of control at Glangrwyney Bridge near Abergavenny, killing him, pianist Sidney Boatman and drummer Dave Pearson.

The singer’s son Richard was on hand to unveil the plaque commemorating the trio on the side of the bridge, following a fundraising campaign by Beat music magazine writer Ian Woolley.

Around 50 people were at the ceremony, including representatives of Crickhowell and Brecon fire stations who were first on the scene of the 4.20am crash on May 6, 1971, with £200 from the fundraiser being presented to the Fire Benevolent Fund charity.

The wife of Dickie Valentine’s agent, Julie Layton, was also present at the August 7 ceremony, along with a member of the Water Rats Charity, of which the star was a member,.

Mr Woolley, who has family links to the area, said: "I want to thank everybody who attended and contributed to the plaque fundraising.

"Especially the trustees of the local village hall who freely gave their time and provided refreshments to the people who attended, some from all over the country.

"I also want to say a big thank you to the Powys Council and highways authority for allowing the plaque to be erected."

The crash happened in foggy conditions ahead of a show planned for later that day at the legendary Double Diamond Club.

Dickie, who was 41, enjoyed massive success in the 1950s, with two UK No 1s - Finger of Suspicion and Christmas Alphabet, the nation’s first ever festivally-themed chart-topper - plus six other top-10 hits and another six that made the top-20.

He was voted the most popular singer in the UK in 1952 and 1954 and top male vocalist by the New Musical Express from 1953 to 1957.

He had his own TV shows in the 1960s Calling Dickie Valentine and The Dickie Valentine Show and starred with the likes of Peter Sellers.

He also topped the bill at the London Palladium and performed regularly at the Royal Command Performance.

Born Richard Bryce, he came by his stage name when he signed for Ted Heath’s band on Valentine’s Day (February 14) 1949 as a 19-year-old, and was with him for five years before embarking on a successful solo career.

He was an all-round entertainer and apart from his easy-going singing style, he could also dance, tell jokes and was an impersonator of other singers.