A MUCH-loved father, friend and husband has died just days after marrying the love of his life.

Ian Cook, from Blackburn, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer last month, with doctors only giving the 66-year-old three months to live.

Keen to make his partner of 11 years, Mary, ‘Mrs Cook’ before his death, the couple drafted in help from their local vicar to get approval from the Archbishop of Canterbury for a special marriage licence to marry in their own home in Rossendale.

Ian was moved into the East Lancashire Hospice in Blackburn a few days later and died there on Tuesday morning.

Paying tribute to Mr Cook, who she described as a ‘man who was loved by all’, his wife said: “He was so kind-hearted and funny, a really liked guy.

“In the 11 years we were together, he really taught me a lot about life, and he was so caring and thoughtful towards everyone,” Mrs Cook said

“Throughout his diagnosis and illness, he was always so positive. He was a realist and just dealt with what he was faced with so well,” Mrs Cook added

“The fact we were able to get married so soon before he died has really left me with a lasting shining bright memory of him.”

Father-of-two Mr Cook, who attended Blackburn Grammar School in the 60s, spent his younger years working as a draughtsman before becoming a video technician.

He then got a job with Dutch company Faber Audiovisuals, with whom he travelled around Europe working on projects including World Cups and F1 events.

Mrs Cook said: “He loved his work and loved travelling around Europe to complete it. He was a hard worker.

“When he wasn’t working, he loved things like fast cars and tinkering with computers, mending things and fixing problems. He was very technically minded.”

Mr Cook’s funeral will take place on May 28 at Accrington Crematorium.