A SURPRISE party arranged to celebrate guitarist John Sharples' 60th birthday has been cancelled.

Instead family and friends will toast the memory of the Atherton musician and comedy fan next week.

The former Vulcan, known as 'Sharpy', whose group The Night Boppers topped the bill at Liverpool's Cavern Club ahead of The Beatles, died suddenly earlier this month.

He was cremated at Howe Bridge following a moving service, and the red and white family wreath in the form of a guitar now hangs in the Rope and Anchor where a big party was planned for next Friday.

It will now take the quieter form of a celebration of his life.

Father-of-two John, of Norfolk Road, Atherton, was looking forward to the birth of his first grandson, Jack, due on Friday, the first male to be born in the family for two generations.

The big Liverpool fan was a member of The Grand Union of Volks when he met his wife Josie, and also played with Leigh's favourite Sixties' group The Vulcans, The Letter Show Group, The Johnny Blue Country Band and lastly Nostalgia which he left a year ago.

Josie said she met John when he was her foreman at GKN and though she wasn't too keen he was very persistent.

Married

She said: "I thought he was 24, but on the day we got married I discovered he was 27. I have pictures of me hitting him over the head with my bouquet as we came out of church. He lied to me because he didn't think I would love him if he was older. That was 32 years ago!"

Josie recalled the day the Atherton lads were top of the bill at The Cavern earning £6 for the whole group while The Beatles were on £5.

She said: "He was a self taught guitarist, drummer and keyboard player who loved music and comedy and passed his skill on to others by giving lessons.

"John's memories of The Garrick were recently featured in the Journal and he was delighted. He was showing the article round the pub on the night he was taken ill."

The funeral service featured the couple's song All I Have To Do is Dream by the Everly Brothers and The Hollies' He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother.

John leaves wife Josie, daughters Angela and mum-to-be Joanne, and grandaughter Rebecca.

The family asked for donations to help other diabetes sufferers in lieu of flowers and have so far raised £427 for a charity.