A former pub landlord with terminal cancer has married his partner of nine years in hospital.

Ian Walsh, 53, and his new wife, Glenda, 48, from Commercial Street, Rishton, were devastated when Ian was diagnosed with an incurable tumour in January.

Doctors at the Royal Blackburn Hospital advised the couple, former landlords of the Roebuck Inn, to bring forward the wedding, originally planned for May 26, when Ian was re-admitted to hospital early last week.

Glenda said: “It was bittersweet really because obviously we didn’t expect to be saying our vows in hospital.

“We have been together for nine years and engaged for three and we just kept putting off getting married.

“But after Ian was diagnosed in January he said we would do it this year because if we left it longer and things went wrong, we might not get another chance.”

The couple were joined at the ceremony by Ian’s mum and sister, Val, Glenda’s mum and dad and friend Michelle Youds, who prompted a laugh by fashioning wedding hats from bedpans and sick bowls.

She added that their improvised wedding had actually been bigger than they expected.

She said: “We never wanted a big do - it was going to be just Ian, myself and the dog.

“The whole thing was overwhelming but I’m really glad we did it.”

Michelle said: “I was more excited than them - I made them hats from bedpans and tied ‘just married’ notes to the back.”

Ian’s family and friends are raising funds for the charity Brain Tumour Research and have raised £600 so far via a ‘Wear A Hat’ day.

Dave Lees will also help raise funds at his beer festival at Rishton Conservative Club from June 19 to 21 which will feature a tombola, raffle and entertainment, while neighbour Paul Bradley and friend Tommy Burrows will take on a sponsored 70-mile bike ride.

The couple are planning a wedding reception at the club on May 11.

To sponsor Paul and Tommy’s bike ride, contact Paul on 07872 628 487 or collect a form from the Conservative Club.

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To donate prizes for the tombola and raffle contact Glenda on 07593 779 594.

Donate at justgiving.com/team-ian-walsh/ and see the charity page at braintumourresearch.org.