A POPULAR barmaid who fought bravely against cancer for two years has died.

Grandmother-of-three Lesley Marsh, who worked at the Atherton Arms pub for 18 years, died in the early hours of Friday at the age of 56.

Lesley died at Wigan and Leigh Hospice with her devoted partner of 14 years, Stephen Clewes, at her side.

Lesley’s daughter, mum-of-one Simone, 24, said: “I am devastated and I honestly cannot believe it. My heart feels broken and my life upside down. I lived with my mum all my life, she meant everything to me. She lived for her grandkids and took them out every day. I am so proud of her fight and the strength she showed all the way through her battle.”

Lesley had hyperthermia treatment in February, which is not available through the NHS, at the Klinik Marinus am Stein in Germany for three weeks.

Lesley, from Atherton, responded well to the treatment initially.

But the breast cancer, which was diagnosed in 2017, became more severe and doctors discovered that it had spread to her lungs in November last year. The mum-of-two died after an eight-day stay at the Hindley hospice.

Lesley’s role as a barmaid at the Tyldesley Road pub made her a popular figure in the community.

Simone added: “I have received lots of messages from people who knew my mum. They said she was a proud, amazing woman who was dedicated to her grandkids.”

Daughter of Les and sister of Iain, Lesley also leaves behind her daughter Natasha.