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Tributes have been paid to the the Archdeacon of the Gwent Valleys, Sue Pinnington MBE, who has died aged 55.

Archdeacon Pinnington, who had been in the role since 2018, died suddenly on the weekend, the Church in Wales confirmed.

The Gwent Valleys area covers the Deaneries of Bedwellty and Pontypool.

Archdeacon Pinnington became a priest in 1998, having trained at Trevelyan College, Durham and St Stephen’s House, Oxford.

She later went on to become a Vicar in Cottingley, near Bradford.

In 2004, Archdeacon Pinnington became an honorary cannon at Bradford Cathederal, and was appointed Rector in Houghton Le Spring, Durham, four years later – where she served until moving to Wales in 2018.

In 2010, she was awarded an MBE for services to the community.

The Bishop of Monmouth, Cherry Vann led the tributes and described Archdeacon Pinnington’s death as a “great loss” and a “huge shock”.

She said, “We have lost a pillar of our church family and community. Archdeacon Sue had a real passion for the mission of the church.

“She was full of energy and was hugely popular, both with those she served and with her fellow clergy. She was an excellent and supportive colleague and will be greatly missed.

“Her death is a huge shock to us all and a great loss. We commend her to God and our sympathy and prayers go out to her family and loved ones.”

Details of Archdeacon Pinnington’s funeral are yet to be announced.