A VEIL of sadness descended on Marton this week as hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects to Roy Moreland, the much loved husband and comedy partner of Blackpool celebrity and Roly Poly Mo Moreland.

Roy, who died on January 2 while in hospital undergoing treatment for cancer, was remembered on Monday at St Christopher's Church, Hawes Side Lane, Marton, after which friends and mourners attended a private ceremony at Regent Avenue Crematorium, Ansdell.

Roy, a singer, first met Mo when she appeared as The Mighty Atom and they were due to appear on the same bill. They were due to marry until Mo called it off, and when their paths next crossed years later Mo was engaged to another man. However, she realised her mistake and they married six days later in Nottingham.

Speaking after Roy's funeral Mo said: "The service was absolutely lovely and we have had so many cards -- I have never seen so many in my life."

Choking back the tears she continued: "I can still hear little Charlotte (Dawson) saying 'Uncle Roy, Uncle Roy'. Life is going to be so lonely without him after 42 years."

Close family friend Tracy Dawson added that the funeral was exactly what Roy would have wanted. "At another funeral last year Roy told Mo and I that he wanted the sun to shine and for Vera Lynn to sing at his service.

"In the end it was a bright sunny day and we played tapes of Vera Lynn in the church. I thought it went beautifully."