A WIDOW who lost her husband weeks before the birth of their baby fulfilled his dream by discovering the gender of the couple's unborn child.

Amanda Holmes wrote a poignant letter revealing his dying wish in a heart-breaking farewell at his funeral.

Paul Holmes died at the age of 33 from a rare genetic condition without knowing his second child was to be a long-awaited son.

Her pain was eased when a scan revealed the likely sex of the child was a boy, which Mr Holmes had hoped for.

Mrs Holmes, 28, placed a copy of the scan image of their son, to be called Ethan as Mr Holmes wished, alongside the letter. She said: "We were adamant we were going to wait until the day to find out if it was a girl or a boy, but he wanted a son.

"On the night he died, I went to the maternity unit to get checked out. I just could not get it out of my head that he did not know the sex.

"I was heartbroken. I had a scan and was told it looked like a boy - Paul has got his wish."

Mr Holmes was diagnosed with the rare Marfan's Syndrome after he was in a car accident when he was 21.

The inherited disorder means the connective tissue in the body is abnormal.

He refused to let the diagnosis affect his life and met his wife while working at Poundstretcher, in Redcar, Teesside, more that seven years ago.

The couple moved to Loftus and she gave birth to their daughter, Courtney. The pair were married at Guisborough in 2002.

Mr Holmes collapsed at his home last Wednesday, and died at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, with his wife and mother at his side.

His funeral took place yesterday at St Leonard's Church, in Loftus. He was laid to rest in Loftus Cemetery in the suit he was married in.

Mrs Holmes said: "I want him at Loftus where he is close to home. I want to be able to take our children to see him."