The family of a man who wed his partner of 37 years a month before dying from cancer have ensured his memory lives on.

Paul Martin, wed his partner of 37 years, Ann Phipps, on January 16 on Lawrence Ward at Medway Maritime Hospital, just days after he was given a terminal diagnosis.

But, not long after the couple tied the knot, Paul passed away.

To thank the nurses who looked after him throughout his care, the family has donated a 24-inch television to the ward.

At the wake at the Coniston Hotel in Sittingbourne, Paul’s son, Christopher, said: “I’d go up there all the time and put the football on for him whenever Chelsea were playing.

“Dad being dad got frustrated because the hospital TV didn’t work sometimes and, surprisingly enough, he kicked off about it a few times

"As per dad’s wishes we’re donating this to the hospital which hopefully will make some people happy while they are in there.”

Lynda Cooke, the chaplain at the hospital, conducted the service at the Garden of England crematorium in Bobbing, after blessing the couple at their wedding in January.

On receiving the television, Lynda said: “I’ve already spoken to the ward sister and she is delighted because there’s always a need for televisions.

“So thank you on behalf of Lawrence Ward.”

Blue is the Colour was played to start the service and two of Paul’s granddaughters, nine-year-old Lola and Dulcie, six, read a poem.

The Coniston had offered to hold a reception for the couple as they were unable to have one immediately after the wedding.

It was arranged for February 17 but Paul died just a day before. Instead, the hotel in London Road offered the venue to the family for the wake, free of charge.

Tracey Cleary, operations manager, said: “We saw the piece in the newspaper and I spoke to Kelly-Anne Brown our general manager to see if we could do something and she said yes. “You should give back to people in life and it shows them that people do care.”

On the day of the wedding, Paul said of Ann: “I asked her out on Boxing Day 1980 at a party at the UKP Clubhouse but I was so drunk I couldn’t remember who I had asked. I had to check with her sister.

“But fortunately I picked the right one.”