TRIBUTES have been paid to a Bishop Auckland car salesman who died from a brain haemorrhage two weeks after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

Richard Mustard, 42, from Etherley Dene, died in the University Hospital of North Tees on Wednesday, January 26, with his wife Gillian by his side, after his life-support machine was switched off.

He was diagnosed with leukaemia just after new year but his health deteriorated after he caught an otherwise minor illness and suffered a brain haemorrhage.

Mrs Mustard said: "After Richard was diagnosed we knew it would be horrible going through chemotherapy, but we said we would get through it, because a lot of people do.

"But then he got a bit of a bug and unfortunately he had nothing in his blood to fight it with. I held his hand right up until the last minute."

The couple, who were married for almost 17 years, moved to Bishop Auckland from London in 2007 with their dogs Jake and Harry, and Mr Mustard started working at Holiways Ford, in the town.

Mrs Mustard described her late husband as a keen Liverpool fan who loved computer games.

She said: "Richard was a quiet man and a hard worker who loved his family.

"He was very charming and could have charmed the birds out of the trees.

"We met after he sold me some furniture and we moved in together three weeks later.

Our wedding day was beautiful.

"When he wasn't at work, he liked to relax and take the dogs for a walk.

"He loved playing on the PS3 and watching television and supported Liverpool through good or bad times, right from being a little boy."

Mrs Mustard thanked her husband's colleagues at Holiways Ford, relatives, friends and neighbours for their support since his death.

Mr Mustard is also remembered by his mother, Mags, brother, David, sister-in-law Anthea, and nieces Harriett and Rosemary.

His funeral takes place at Durham Crematorium, on Monday, at 11am.

Donations will be taken for Cancer Research.