A terminally-ill dad is to award medals to the 40 people he has been closest to in life.

George Mclean, 43, doesn’t know how long he’s got to live after being diagnosed with a brain tumour six weeks ago.

To say farewell the popular Stanley fan has had gold, silver and bronze medals made with individual messages engraved on each one as his way of saying thanks to loved ones.

The former forklift truck driver gave his mum a gold medal which reads ‘You’re a mum in a million’.

And his two children have been given ones saying: ‘I’m so proud of you, I wish I had told you sooner’.

Speaking from his hospital bed in Preston George told the Observer the different colour themed ribbons on each medal represent his favourite places; Accrington, Scotland and Leicester.

George, who has lived in Accrington and Huncoat over the last 15 years, said: "I felt the medals were something personal.

"When I was diagnosed I immediately checked if everyone else was okay with the news. I thought of giving people medals because I want people to have something to remember me by.

"There are some people I won’t be able to see again which is why I’m giving them out with messages for each individual on."

On December 10 George and his family and friends will gather at Accrington Stanley Football Club for a night of karaoke.

All money raised from the evening will go to East Lancashire Hospice, which has been caring for George.

George, described as a fun, caring and hard-working man by family and many friends in Hyndburn, suffered a stroke in June.

His family – mum Rena, 66, dad John, 78, and sisters Anne-Marie, 42, and Jackie, 31, children, Katie, 20, and Jake, 17, and brothers John, 35, and Robert, 50 – thought he was recovering well.

But he sadly developed further problems before being diagnosed with a category four brain tumour six weeks ago.

Medics said it was the size of an orange and the worst of its kind.

George, a huge Leicester City and Accrington Stanley fan, is currently in Royal Preston Hospital undergoing three weeks of radiotherapy and is also paralysed down his left side.

Mum Rena said: "My heart is broken at the moment. He should be sitting next to my bed but it doesn’t work like that."

His dad John said: "He’s a very caring guy with an awful lot of friends."

Anne-Marie, who works at Asda in Accrington, said: "These last few weeks, George has turned into the bravest man I’ve ever seen.

"He’s been so selfless and came up with the idea of having medals made for everyone while it’s all been going on."

His best friend Daniel Westwell, 25, of Wellington Street, Accrington, said: "It’s upsetting. When I found out I was devastated.

"George has been like a dad to me but a very good mate too.

"He’s always been there for me and we’ve worked as refuse collectors for the council."