Tributes to creator of Terry Walton's Plotcast

Head of Radio Wales Carolyn Hitt said Lynda Shahwan was "a very special person"

Tributes have been paid to the creator of one of Wales' most popular podcasts, who died following a car accident while on holiday with her family in Canada.

Lynda Shahwan, 53, from Heath, Cardiff, created and co-presented Terry Walton's Plotcast, a podcast exploring the joys of allotment life on a Rhondda hillside.

The BBC Radio Wales podcast has appealed to thousands of listeners, giving advice and reflecting the growing seasons, with the conversations between gardening expert Terry and broadcaster Lynda at its heart.

Mr Walton paid tribute to Mrs Shahwan, who had worked for Radio Wales for more than 25 years.

Mrs Shahwan created and co-presented Terry Walton's Plotcast, a podcast celebrating the joys of allotment life on a Rhondda hillside

"We pass our sympathies on to Lynda's husband Sharif, their two sons and all of the family on the tragic and sudden taking of Lynda from us far too soon," he said.

"My last two years of working with Lynda on the Plotcast were the most fulfilling and cherished broadcasting I have done.

"Our chemistry and her creative talent made every episode a gem of gardening knowledge. Such fun whilst still being very informative.

"Her professionalism and easy going manner made every recording a pleasure and brought the best out of us both.

"We became true friends and after recording we would both relax and discuss many aspects of life."

'Much-loved colleague and friend'

Head of Radio Wales Carolyn Hitt said: "Lynda was a very special person.

"Since she began her career with Radio Wales in 1999 she made a brilliant impact on the station, on and off air, working across almost all of our output.

"For several years, Lynda was Roy Noble's fellow presenter on his morning show, where he affectionately christened her 'The Lily from Caerphilly'.

"More recently, Lynda was back in front of the mic once more, this time with Terry Walton, co-presenting and producing her fantastic passion project the Plotcast – just one of the many examples of her creativity and innovation.

"We are all devastated at Radio Wales at the sudden loss of our much-loved colleague and friend and our hearts go out to Lynda's husband Sharif – who is also a much-loved colleague - their two sons and all their family and friends."

Roy Noble added: "Our feelings of condolence go to Lynda's family, Sharif and the boys.

"It was a sudden, sudden loss to them and something we in Radio Wales cannot process.

"Her legacy will be always, always remembered."