THE landlord and customers of a popular pub did not hesitate to help out a terminally-ill friend.

When Clifford Howard was told he had cancer in his pelvis six months ago, regulars from the Swan and Cemetery in Manchester Road, Bury, decided to hold a series of fundraising events to buy him a new motorised scooter to keep him mobile.

Unfortunately, 66-year-old Clifford died on Wednesday last week. Now his wife June (62) and the regulars have decided to donate the scooter to Macmillan Nurses.

Clifford and June had planned to buy a scooter so that Clifford could maintain his independence, but Swan and Cemetery landlord John Walsh and friends stepped in.

John, who has been at the pub for three years, stumped up the £500 needed to pay for the scooter, and drinkers set about raising money to pay him back and add to their charity fund.

Friend Lee McGowan said: "When we heard about Clifford we were fundraising for the Macmillan Nurses, and decided we would do something to help him out."

Soon after, a group from the pub completed the Three Peaks in one day, raising around £400. Since then, they have held more events to boost the total.

June, of Thirlmere Drive, Bury, said: "We couldn't believe it when they gave us the scooter for Clifford. People at the pub have been wonderful. Clifford had drunk there for 40 years and it was so nice that they did this for him.

"John even made meals and had them sent down to the house when Clifford was really poorly. Now the scooter will go to help someone else."