THE FAMILY of a Bury man who died after a battle with motor neurone disease have unveiled a heartfelt tribute at Bury Hospice in his honour.

Jayson Banks died in November last year after suffering from the disease for two years, and his wife Melanie and their three daughters added hearts to a memorial wall at the hospice where he passed away.

Mr Banks died at the age of 41, and over the past year Mrs Banks and four-year-old Evie, as well as 12-year-old twins Caitlin and Ellisha, have taken part in fundraising activities to keep his memory alive.

After unveiling the memorial, Mrs Banks said: "It was heartbreaking, watching him suffer. He had two young girls, and it was terrible for them to watch their dad suffer.

"I had never heard of motor neurone disease before Jayson had it.

"The hospice was absolutely fantastic, and cared for Jayson very well for the two weeks he was there, and he said he wanted to give something back."

Mrs Banks said that about £8,000 has been raised for the hospice since her husband's death, through a range of activities and events, including parties and a coast-to-coast bike ride.

The couple, who live in Leyton Drive, Blackford Bridge, met at the age of 15 in Prestwich and were childhood sweethearts.

Mr Banks worked as a lorry driver, and one of his main passions was football, inparticular Manchester United.

Mrs Banks, aged 38, said: "He was a true family man, and he loved football. On his first anniversary, I took the children to the museum tour at Manchester United, because I knew he would have loved it."

Students at Castlebrook High School in Unsworth, where Caitlin and Ellisha attend, have also given support and been involved with organising events such as bake sales.