TRIBUTES have been paid to a former pub landlord who lost his battle against cancer while on a family holiday.

The funeral of Martin Ridgway, who used to run the Greyhound in Hartshill, will take place on Thursday.

He died on November 1 in North Devon with his partner Adele Mendiuk, parents Maureen and Chris Ridgway and beloved miniature Pomeranian dog Maisie by his side.

The 41-year-old was a member of Burslem-based Smurf Motorcycling Club.

He was also a former player at Trentham Rugby Club and Newcastle and Hartshill Cricket Club.

In the summer, Mr Ridgway pursued a lifelong dream by embarking on an English degree at Staffordshire University.

The animal lover, of Granville Avenue, Newcastle, started his studies after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in March. The disease did not respond to chemotherapy and spread to his liver.

He arranged the trip to North Devon because he wanted to introduce Miss Mendiuk, who works as a lecturer at Newcastle College, to the place where he had gone on holiday each year as a child.

Miss Mendiuk, who met Mr Ridgway at the Greyhound, where they bonded over their shared love of Doctor Who, said: "He had an amazing sense of humour and a big deep laugh. In the 16 months we were together, we became so close.

"It was the giggling and laughing I loved. We both liked roller coasters and he always said if he won the lottery he would buy the Air ride from Alton Towers to put up outside the house.

"He loved reading and could talk about anything and everything. Studying English was his dream.

"He was doing really well in his course and got top marks in his first assignment."

Mr Ridgway was assistant manager at The Bulls Head in Burslem for 12 months before becoming manager at the Greyhound. Prior to that he worked as a salesman for Tile Giant.

His parents, of Wilfred Place, Hartshill, said they could not have wished for a better son.

Mrs Ridgway described the six-foot sport enthusiastic as a "gentle giant". The 66-year-old added: "He was my best friend."

Mr Ridgway, also aged 66, described his son as kind and thoughtful.

The architect added: "He had a superb sense of humour and a deep laugh. He showed such huge bravery and he never once asked, 'why me?'.

"Throughout his illness, he suffered setback after setback but he kept on fighting with such stoicism."

Dave Slack, of Smurf Motorcycling Club, where Mr Ridgway had been a member for four years, said he would be greatly missed.

The 48-year-old, of Lowhurst Drive, Chell, said: "He was a true friend – a genuine person who would always be there when you needed him."

Mr Ridgway also leaves behind brother Peter, aged 37, who lives in Nottingham, nephew Oliver, aged eight, and niece Isabella, aged six.

His funeral will take place at Carmountside Crematorium at 12.30pm on Thursday.

People are asked to dress informally.