HOSPITAL staff went above and beyond to give a dying man his final wish - to marry his sweetheart of 18 years.

Dennis Nelson was told last week he had days to live after a cancer had spread to his lungs and was attacking an artificial tube inserted in his throat to allow him to breath.

Mr Nelson, 58, and his now-wife, Deborah, 55, were due to get married on March 1 but when doctors told them they could not help Dennis, the pair immediately tried to bring the wedding forward.

But rather than leaving the couple to quickly plan a wedding, staff at West Bergholt ward leapt into action and within hours the couple were declared man and wife.

Gazette:

One staff member even worked three hours overtime in order to organise and attend the wedding.

The couple’s niece, Jade Willing, who lives in Wakes Colne, said: “The hospital staff were just unbelievable. They did everything they could for the family and nothing was too much trouble.

“They brought in a chaplain and two registrars - one of whom was not on duty over the weekend - and they all made sure they were there for the ceremony as well.

“They gave us a room, they got the wedding march music, they popped a bottle with us. We couldn’t have asked for anymore.”

Miss Willing, a student at Anglia Ruskin University, in Chelmsford, added: “At a time when the family was very down and very sad, they gave us a happy occasion which we will all remember.

“I could see a change in Debbie almost straight away. She wanted to be Mrs Nelson before Dennis leaves us and now she is.

“Debbie hasn’t left the hospital since Saturday - she doesn’t want to leave Dennis’ side.”

Mr Nelson, of Halstead, was first diagnosed with throat cancer five years ago, which he beat.

But it returned 18 months later and his voice box had to be removed. That operation was hailed as a success.

However, in the middle of 2016, a scan showed the cancer had returned.

Mr Nelson was referred to to Barts Hospital in London for a special treatment, which showed initial signs of beating the cancer into retreat but last month doctors said Mr Nelson’s cancer was terminal.

Tina Leppard, matron on West Bergholt ward, said: “It is a privilege for staff to be involved in such personal moments and we are delighted to be able to help out.

“It wasn’t just one team, it was a number of teams coming together to do all they could to help.”

Hospital staff have also helped patients who are not fit to go home say goodbye to their pets.