THE dying wish of terminally ill John Arthur Pickering was to marry his partner of ten years, Glenys Cardwell.

The wedding took place on a ward at Burnley General Hospital yesterday. .

With them were their two sons, Thomas, seven, and Ryan, six, other members of the family and close friends.

Bridesmaid was John's granddaughter, Leanne Ryan, six.

John's daughter, Andrea Ryan, said: "Cancer of the lungs was diagnosed about a month ago and he now has a brain tumour. It is terminal and doctors say there is nothing they can do at all.

"He and Glenys have been together for about ten years and both agreed they wanted to get married and make everything official.''

The couple live in Bath Street, Nelson. Mr Pickering has been registered disabled for many years.

Andrea said: "Tragedy has hit this family, it has been just one thing after another.''

Mr Pickering's wife, Judith, was killed in a road accident in Burnley and then eight years ago Andrea's son, Liam, died from meningitis at the age of 17 months.

Little Liam was a normal healthy toddler until just 12 hours before he died. After the tragedy local people rallied round staging numerous events for the Liam Ryan Memorial Fund for Meningitis Research.

Yesterday's bridesmaid, Leanne, has also had her share of problems. She was diagnosed with histiocytosis, a rare cell disorder, at the age of two, and underwent chemotherapy treatment.

Leanne who attends Ightenhill primary school, Burnley, also has diabetes among other problems which cause her to dehydrate rapidly.

Andrea said: "She now leads a pretty normal life but we have to keep a close eye on her."

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