A YOUNG husband diagnosed with a brain tumour only weeks after his wedding has lost his courageous battle for life.

Geoff Duckworth, 33, started to suffer severe headaches on honeymoon last October.

His wife, Mandy, 30, was with him when he died on Tuesday in Accrington Victoria Hospital. Mandy's father, Mr James Keane, spoke about his son in law's tremendous courage.

He said: "He battled against it all the way and was very positive right to the end. He had so much to live for. It's a tragic waste of a life."

Despite surgery and the treatment which followed, Mr Duckworth, of Pansy Street South, Accrington, wanted to live life to the full and as normally as possible.

Earlier this year he went back to work three and a half days a week at Philips Components, Blackburn, where he was a technical foreman.

Mr Keane said: "He showed a lot of courage and did not look for sympathy.

"I have nothing but admiration for him," added Mr Keane, who lives with his wife Pauline, in Beaconsfield Street, Accrington. Less than two weeks ago Mr Duckworth was on the sideline scoring for Manchester Road cricket team in the Accrington league.

A talented sportsman, he also played football for the Crown pub, in Whalley Road, and the Cemetery pub, in Burnley Road.

When the tumour was diagnosed five weeks after the couple's wedding, surgeons operated immediately at Preston Royal Hospital to remove it.

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy followed but a month ago Mr Duckworth was taken into Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, where it was found the tumour had flared up again.

After a few days in hospital he came home to Accrington where he stayed until last Saturday when he was admitted to Accrington Victoria.

Mr Duckworth's parents, Elsie and Jack, live in Avenue Parade, Accrington. He also leaves two sisters, Jean and Sheila, and a brother John.

His widow, Mandy, works at Hambledon Studios, Accrington.

Mr Duckworth attended Moorhead High School before studying engineering at Salford University and Preston Polytechnic.

A service will be held in Cambridge Street Methodist Church, Accrington, on Friday at 1.15pm prior to interment at Accrington Cemetery.

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