Baby Elsie Elizabeth will never know her dad.

But her mother, Emily, is determined that she will know just what a special man he was.

Tim Dickson, 35, died of cancer four weeks before his first child was born.

He was thrilled when he found out earlier this year that he and Emily, who had been married since 2004, were to become parents. Tim, a teacher, had been battling cancer since an initial diagnosis in May last year.

Then, the couple’s plans to start a family were put on hold and a tumour on Tim’s ankle was removed.

He underwent radiotherapy, after which he was told he was cancer-free and could return to his job at a school in Eltham, south east London.

But in April this year, just three weeks after Emily had her first pregnancy scan, Tim was told the cancer was back and in July he was given the devastating news that it was terminal.

He died at the Wisdom Hospice in Rochester on September 8, and his funeral was held in his home town of Hartlepool on September 19.

Elsie was born at Medway Maritime Hospital on Friday, October 10.

Emily, 32, of Tudor Grove, Chattenden, said: “Tim was really looking forward to being a dad.

“When Elsie was born I couldn’t really tell who she looked like but she’s definitely got Tim’s hair and ears so it’s comforting that I can see some of his features.

“I like to think he is looking down, watching over and sending his love to us.”

Tim was born in Hartlepool but moved south when he was 19 to study sociology.

He then trained to be a teacher at Goldsmith’s College at the University of London, where he met Emily.

Emily, a senior project manager with Medway Council, said: “Tim wanted to do something for Elsie but it all happened so quickly he didn’t have time. Instead his dad is going to write his life story for her to read when she’s older.

He’s got lots of photos of him, his hospital tag from when he was born and his first pair of shoes.

“I’m coping OK and it’s going to take time but I have a lot of friends and family supporting me.

“Tim was such a wonderful man, a loving and loyal husband, kind, generous, patient, funny and a fantastic teacher."