TRAGIC mother Debbie Briggs planned every detail of her baby daughter Jessica's first birthday party.

But her biggest wish, to stay alive to watch her little girl enjoy the fun, was not to be.

Mrs Briggs died from cancer in her husband John's arms only hours after marrying at Teesside hospice, in Middlesbrough.

Despite knowing she was gravely ill, Mrs Briggs still took time to plan her little daughter's birthday celebrations.

Heartbroken Mr Briggs, 38, of Saltwells Road, Middlesbrough, now aims to be a full-time father to his young daughter.

He said: "We have two big and close families who have come together.

"We take every day as it comes and, fortunately, Jessica has her mum's nature, very laid back and keen to please everyone.

"But there are times when I go to bed crying and wake up crying.

"Then I see Jessica smiling at me from her cot and that keeps me going."

Mrs Briggs, a former fancy dress shop boss, had undergone treatment for breast cancer before she met her husband-to-be.

She was warned that she could not have children but on January 8 last year gave birth to Jessica.

Two weeks later, 39-year-old Mrs Briggs found a lump on her collarbone and was told the cancer had returned.

Debbie flew with her husband to a New York cancer clinic as relatives and friends set about raising money for her treatment.

She died on November 22 last year.

Mr Briggs said: "We set these goals for Debbie to reach and Jessica's party was the last one.

"We talked endlessly about how it would be and what she wanted for Jessica but she just couldn't make it."