JUST a year ago, Wendy Edwards experienced the happiest day of her life at a sleepy Preston church, marrying her partner of two-and-a-half-years, popular firefighter Stephen Edwards.

Yesterday, just a week after celebrating her first wedding anniversary, she returned to St John the Baptist Church in Broughton, this time for the funeral of her beloved husband, who died last week, not while on duty, but on a football pitch.

Stephen Edwards, 30, of Newark Place, Fulwood died after suffering a massive heart attack while playing in a seven-a-side football match at Longridge High School last week.

Despite attempts to resuscitate him, he died on the pitch.

The little Broughton church was packed with mourners, all of who had nothing but praise for the sporty firefighter, who had one son, 16-month-old son Daniel and a six-year-old stepdaughter Gemma.

Stephen, who served at Fulwood fire station, met Wendy outside the Black Bull pub, in Garstang Road. Wendy described their first encounter as love at first sight. She said: "He told my mum he was going to marry me before he even spoke to me. He was everything I had ever wish for.

"I was so happy, happier than I thought it was possible to be."

Drinking pals at the Black Bull described him as the fittest person they knew. They said he enjoyed golf, football and rugby.

One regular said: "We can't believe it has happened. He was never ill. He was a sociable and lively lad."

Stephen was based at Fulwood Fire Station, having previously been based at Lancaster after leaving the RAF, where he was also a firefighter.

His mother Mary works in the finance department at the service's Fulwood headquarters.

She said: "I can't believe it happened. I am still expecting him to walk in."

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue, said: "We are all deeply shocked by this tragic death.

"Fulwood station is only small and there is a close working relationship between the firefighters there."

In a tragic twist of fate, Stephen's dad, Alan, died two years ago to the day, also from a heart attack.

After the funeral, Stephen's body was taken to Preston Crematorium in Red Scar.

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