A well-loved Bolton funeral director who died suddenly had "so much more to give" said his partner of 27 years.

Mark Janson passed away after an "overnight" illness and his partner Chris Woods, aged 47, has spoken of his shock

Mr Janson, aged 51, had enjoyed a four-day holiday to Gran Canaria followed by a trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach with Mr Woods, before feeling unwell in the early hours of Monday, October 20.

By the next day he was so poorly he had to be taken to hospital, where he died.

Hundreds of well-wishers attended his funeral, which took place at St Peter's Church in Swinton on Monday, which was conducted by staff at JR Barlow and Son — his most recent place of work.

Mr Woods said: "It didn't matter what he did, Mark was always at the top of his game, even when he was working in a kitchen he was head chef. But I really think he found his calling as a funeral director.

"Because of this, the funeral was packed with hundreds of people who came to pay their respects. He touched so many people's lives doing that job. He was well loved by everyone who met him.

"On top of his coffin we put his top hat, cane and gloves that he wore each day at work. It was heartbreaking but so fitting at the same time."

The pair met in 1987 at a bar in Manchester's Gay Village before Mr Woods moved from his Middleton home to Daubhill to be with Mr Janson, before they moved to Church Street in Little Lever.

Mr Janson, originally from Farnworth, had worked in a number of jobs but finally found his "niche" in funeral directing eight years ago.

Mr Woods, who works in IT, said: "He used to work at Mill View care home as a head chef. While he was there he got to know all 180 residents and staff members by name. He was a people person and could befriend anyone. He would always make sure that people were ok. He was always a caring person which is why he went into the funeral business."

He started at Funeral Service Operative in Farnworth, then Hardmans in Bolton before moving to the newly refurbished branch of Hardmans in Breightmet.

In 2010 he transferred to Bridgfords in Swinton before finally moving to JR Barlows in Station Road in the summer of last year.

A post mortem examination revealed that he had suffered bronchial pneumonia – despite Mr Woods saying his only obvious symptom was a cough.

He added: "We'd had a ball on holiday, partying like we used to, we had a great time. I am just so shocked. He didn't seem unwell at all — it all happened overnight. Mark was such a kind-hearted man with so much more to give. He always made my tea — he loved cooking. I don't think I have cooked once in 27 years. I will miss him dearly."