Tributes have been paid to the founder of one of Gwynedd's top visitor attractions after he died following a "courageous" battle against brain cancer.

Stephen Bristow MBE and his wife Andrea bought a 17 acre woodland near Bangor back in 1993 and over more than 20 years they transformed GreenWood Forest Park into one of the region's most popular tourism sites.

They sold the business in 2017 and for the last 19 months Stephen, who lived on Anglesey, has been battling cancer.

The dad-of-three passed away on Sunday, aged 68.

As well as being a respected businessman his family said was a "loving, kind and gentle soul" who loved nature and was always wanting to help people.

Wife Andrea said: "I was a lucky woman being married to such a special man.

"I shall miss him dearly, but I also know that he will stay with me.

Stephen and Andrea Bristow, owners of Greenwood Forest Park
Stephen and Andrea Bristow, at Greenwood Forest Park

"He was my best friend, dancing partner and business partner.

"He loved nature, and I do not know how many trees he must have planted."

Their youngest son Christopher said: "Many know dad as an entrepreneur, but he was so much more than that.

"He was a loving, kind and gentle soul who took real interest in others, and wanted to help them in any way he could."

Born in 1951 In the south of England, Steve spent his early years studying horticulture.

He met Andrea, who is originally from Austria, whilst working on a horticultural project in Oxfordshire. They later married and had three sons.

After completing his degree, Steve spent some years in the Sudan, where he worked on a project planting trees in the desert.

After studying at Bangor University as a mature student in the 1980’s the Bristow family - after a number of years in Sudan and Bedfordshire - moved back to North Wales.

Their aim was to set up an environment education project to tell people about trees, raising awareness of the importance of forests across the world.

Stephen Bristow on the land where Greenwood is now situated back in 1992
Stephen Bristow on the land where Greenwood is now situated back in 1992

GreenWood opened in 1993 and when they introduced ‘fun’ to the park the visitor numbers doubled.

Each year after that they introduced a new ride using the criteria that each had to comprise an exercise or low energy element.

Staff at GreenWood today wrote: "Steve and Andrea created the highly successful basis for the park as it is today – and that green and sustainability message lives on."

Steve was awarded an MBE for services to tourism in 2009 along with his wife Andrea.

GreenWood staff added: "Steve was particularly proud of the positive impact of employing young local people and the transferable skills this provided.

"Recognised across the North Wales tourism industry as an incredible man with extraordinary vision, Steve will be sorely missed by all at GreenWood and in the industry. His legacy lives on at the park.

"The thoughts of the current owners and all the GreenWood family are with Andrea and their family at this time."

Stephen was the proud father and father in law to Daniel and Sarah, Martin and Leah, and Chris and Intan. He was also the cherished grandad of Dewi, Aled, Max and Ludo.

A private funeral will take place on Saturday May 16 at Llansadwrn Church and a memorial service will be held at a future date.

Instead of flowers donations are invited for Hospice at Home and Llansadwrn Church.