TRIBUTES have been flooding in praising the courage of a Tyldesley man who never complained -- despite being ill for much of his life.

Family and friends have been left devastated by the death of Paul Trowbridge on May Day at the age of 42.

Since being a toddler Paul suffered from kidney failure -- dependent on dialysis and unable to work. He endured two unsuccessful kidney transplants and spent the last seven months of his life at the Manchester Royal Infirmary.

Yet he was hugely popular and his fighting spirit, sense of humour and courage was admired by all who knew him.

Speaking from her Castleton Court home in Tyldesley, filled with condolence and sympathy cards, Paul's devoted mother, Rita, said: "Paul was always unwell but he never complained and at his lowest he still had his sense of humour. If Paul had one fault it was trying to cope with everything himself.

Strong mind

"He had a strong mind and a strong will, even though his body was frail. He went through so much and fought harder than any soldier in battle."

Paul was married to wife Alison for 22 years. They lived in Leicester Road, Tyldesley.

Rita described them as devoted to each other as "soul-mates."

Paul was well known in the Tyldesley area. His parents Brian and Rita, used to run the Butcher's Arms in town and Paul's sister, Anne-Marie Rawlinson, runs the Bongs Tavern in Castle Street.

He attended Sacred Heart Primary and St Mary's High schools and had five brothers and sisters -- Angela, Stephen, Shaun, Anne-Marie and Michael plus an army of nieces and nephews.

Speaking before Tuesday's funeral Rita said: "Nearly all the staff on the ward he was on are coming to the funeral. They said they had never known anybody to fight like Paul and he never complained.

" He touched a lot of people -- he will never be forgotten."

When doctor's told him there was nothing else they could do, he just wanted to return to Alison and his Leicester Road home.

Rita said: "He passed away at home. They only had one night together and they just held each other. I was hoping he would have at least a week at home.

" I didn't want to lose him at 42. I'm upset he went so quick I thought we would have at least a week with him. But he is somewhere now where he is whole again."

Paul's family requested any donations be made to the British Kidney Association.