The widow of a brave cancer victim today told how "the power of love" kept him alive long enough for them to enjoy just a month of marriage.

Tiffany O'Rorke's husband Anthony died from a rare form of cancer just weeks after they were married at a special bedside ceremony at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Mr O'Rorke, a music teacher and composer, died at their home in Ashwell Road, Heaton, Bradford, with his wife at his side.

Today, Tiffany, 37, pictured, said: "When he came home, the doctors said that he had two days to live. He lasted for 16. He couldn't eat anything, but he firmly believed he could get better and would be teaching in January.

"He had an amazing fight, and was still getting out of bed until the 14th day. Nobody knew where he got his strength from. Never underestimate the power of love."

The couple, who had been together for 18 years, had three children Eleanor, 15, Amelia, nine, and Gabriel, just two months.

Mr O'Rorke, 63, was director of music, and later taught Spanish, at St Joseph's College for 26 years.

He returned as a supply teacher. His legacy includes the school song, which he composed, a tradition of concerts and many accomplished pupils.

He became ill last September. Doctors had diagnosed an ulcer 18 months before, but then discovered he had a tumour in his small intestine.

He declined chemotherapy and opted for nutritional therapy and homeopathy, to have a better quality of life. But after enjoying a good few months, he became poorly at Christmas.

The couple had wanted to get married in February, but brought the ceremony forward.

Bradford Register Office issued an emergency license, that can only be granted if someone is too ill to leave hospital.

"I found out at 1pm that we would marry at 3pm," said Tiffany, who runs the Hearter Montessori school in Keighley.

"A colleague gave me a blue, old, borrowed teddy and I wore a new hair bobble and my great grandmother's ring.

"We had two witnesses. Anthony thought we would get out and celebrate later.

"The ceremony was very simple, but it gave him great peace of mind."

Mr O'Rorke was born and raised in Dublin and graduated in music from the University College of Dublin.

A memorial service will take place on Wednesday at 3pm at St John's Church, Ben Rhydding.

Mr O'Rorke also leaves two daughters Catherine, 30, and Marianne, 27, from a previous marriage and two grandchildren.

The family will plant an oak tree at the Woodland Burial Ground. Skipton in his memory.