A GROOM who married the love of his life with the help and generosity of county companies passed away 11 days after his wedding.

Jay Faulkner married Tracy Gordon at Hereford Town Hall on February 2, followed by a reception at Orles Barn in Ross-on-Wye.

He knew he did not have long to live and county wedding suppliers donated their time and services free of charge to make sure the couple had a special wedding day.

The 35-year-old passed away on February 13; he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in May 2015.

Tracy, who has two children, Alice, 18 and Luke, 15, said: "Jay meant the world to me and his step children. He was a great role model to them and we all loved him so much.

"He was the most kindest, giving, loyal and thoughtful man I've ever met and I will miss him forever.

"I can't believe we will never see him again. He was my best friend as well as my husband."

Jay grew up and lived in Burntwood in Staffordshire. He came down to Herefordshire to stay with his brother, Adam, after an operation in July 2015, which is how Tracy first met him.

The couple moved in together in Wigmore and Jay proposed to Tracy, 38, on Christmas Day last year.

They were told at the start of the year that no further treatment could be offered to Jay. With the help of the charity, Wish for a Wedding, everything from Prosecco to the cake to a hog roast was donated by various different companies.

Both of Jay's parents have passed away; his dad died of bowel cancer at the same age as Jay did.

Tracy is now raising money for Jay's funeral on February 28 at Leominster Cemetery, where they will be having a collection for St Michael's Hospice.

She said: "Although it will be a sad day we are aiming for more of a celebration of Jay's life. He has a printed coffin with a motorcycle on and he isn't going in a hearse; he will travel in style in a motorbike side car.

"We will then go back for his wake where all his favourite music will be played. There will be a slideshow of photos everyone has contributed and a balloon release where people can write their own message to Jay.

"Jay's favourite colour was royal blue, the colour we had for our wedding, so dress code is wear something blue."

To donate money towards the cost of Jay's funeral go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Jayfaulknerfuneralfund