A DEVOTED police dog handler from Prestwich has died from cancer - a day after his wedding.

PC Garry Mathieson battled through the pain to marry his bride, Estelle Rodgers, as he lay seriously ill in hospital last Thursday surrounded by family and friends.

The pair arranged the wedding - which they had planned to hold later in the year - after PC Mathieson was told he had days to live.

The 41-year-old father-of-two was diagnosed with stomach cancer in May last year.

His condition worsened and he was warned that the cancer was terminal after it spread to his lymphatic glands.

Estelle, aged 28, said: "He never gave up. He never spoke about anything other than winning his battle."

The pair had been together for two years after PC Mathieson split from his first wife, Shirley, with whom he had two sons.

PC Mathieson, who served with Greater Manchester Police for 13 years, continued working as a dog handler in Prestwich while he was receiving chemotherapy treatment until last November when he was forced to leave his job.

He had previously spent nine years as a telecommunications engineer in the RAF.

Mrs Mathieson, also a serving officer with GMP, said: "He was so brave and his work meant so much to him that he just wanted to keep going with it. He loved all the dogs he worked with.

"He was a once-in-a-lifetime person and he'll be missed by a lot of people."

PC Mathieson was a keen rugby player and fitness fanatic, most recently playing for Bolton RUFC.

He was also keen rugby league fan and took his two sons, Rory, aged 11, and Ewan, aged nine, to see Wigan Warriors RLFC.

Colleagues, teammates and police dogs will be at his funeral on Friday.

PC Mathieson lived in Bolton before moving to Darwen last year.

He went to the Bolton College of Art in Hilden Street, The Haulgh, before joining the RAF.

His mother, Pauline Mathieson, of Kimberley Road, Astley Bridge, said: "He was very brave and thought he was going to beat it at one point. But in the past two weeks, he became very weak.

"His work meant everything to him and he wanted to carry on with it as long as he could."

PC Mathieson's father, Tony, said: "The two lads have been very upset. He left them a letter to read after he had gone but it's hard for them to come to terms with losing their dad. He was devoted to his sons like he was devoted to his work."

The funeral service takes place at St Peter's Church, Belmont, at 12.45pm on Friday.