A pub landlord died three days after marrying his long-term love.

John Tait, landlord of the Captain Fryatt pub in Parkeston, had been suffering from cancer.

He married Mavis, his partner of 14 years, in a simple, moving ceremony in the bar in front of friends and regular customers.

He died three days later aged 53. Mrs Tait said: "It was what he wanted. He wanted us to marry before he died."

She added: "It was going to be private but the word got around. There were several here and it was very nice."

The one-time singer, who for several years was a member of the backing group of rock and roll legend Billy Fury, will be buried at Oakfield Wood, Wrabness, tomorrow following a service at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Fronks Road, Dovercourt.

Fourteen years ago Mr Tait became landlord of the Bird in Hand in Main Road, Dovercourt. He was there nine years before moving to the Captain Fryatt five years ago. He was diagnosed with cancer last April and died on January 2.

Mrs Tait will be landlady until there is a new licensee. But she is not planning to move from the village and is to remain in Parkeston, living in the home she and her husband had been decorating as they had been preparing to vacate the pub this week.

Mr Tait also left two daughters and two grandchildren. Mr Tait was originally from Newcastle and had been in the licensed trade for 25 years.

He had toured around this country and been abroad several times with Billy Fury but left the group for a settled home life.

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