A FAMILY was dealt a double blow when close friends died within days of each other.

Tom Wilcock, aged 73, died while on holiday in Tenerife, and just two days later the Wilcocks' best friend Auntie Em -- Emma Hughes -- passed away, aged 79.

Mr Wilcock, of Castleton Court, Tyldesley, had been celebrating New Year in Los Gigantes with his wife Jean, their children Keith, Eileen, Andrew and Jean and their families, including six grandchildren.

But the day before they were due to fly home Mr Wilcock suffered a fatal heart attack.

His wife of 52 years, Jean said: "We had had a fantastic holiday, Tom had been fine, even up dancing the night before. We had been going to the same place for about 15 years and have some lovely memories."

A retired tailor and keen follower of Leigh RMI, Mr Wilcock was well-known around the social club circuit. He enjoyed his role as concert secretary with Hindsford Sacred Heart Club and had been steward of the former Astley DSSA Club.

Jean, aged 74, said: "He had been concert secretary at Sacred Heart for three years. It was his life, he loved organising charity concerts especially for Alderhey Children's Hospital and St Anne's Hospice. He was a caring person and a huge family man. He was devoted to people."

As the distraught family was trying to come to terms with the tragedy the shock news came of Emma Hughes' death in Hulton Lane rehabilitation centre at Bolton.

The Wilcocks' younger daughter, Jean, said: "She was already ill, but we had decided to tell her about dad. But she died before we had the chance. It's nice to think of them still together.

"She was everyone in Astley's Auntie Em, everyone knew and loved her, and she really was part of the family, she even came on holiday with us."

The Wilcocks had been friends with Auntie Em for 45 years since they moved in as next-door neighbours in North Lane, Blackmoor.

Mr Wilcock's funeral takes place on Friday at 11am at St George's Church, Tyldesley.