Tributes have been paid to a brave dad who nicknamed himself Chemo Man - Cancer King to keep his spirits up through his battle against the disease.

Chris Faunthorpe, who raised thousands of pounds for the Cancer Research Campaign, died at his family home in Nab Wood, Shipley, on Friday.

The inspirational 43-year-old, who was company boss of Clearwell Pest Control Services in Bradford, was well known for his sunny outlook on life and sense of humour.

He wore T-shirts emblazoned with his self-styled nickname and collected more than 50 baseball caps to wear on his hairless head after undergoing chemotherapy.

Today his wife Paula said: "He never let it get him down. Even when it came back he just dealt with it again, he was disappointed but he'd never have shown it.

"He was always singing Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, which summed him up. Some people can be sad but he just said let's get cracking, let's get on with it. He would go and have chemotherapy, come home and then go back to work."

Mr Faunthorpe underwent treatment after doctors found a tumour the size of a melon in his stomach four years ago, and as he battled the disease he decided to help boost the coffers of the War on Cancer appeal in Bradford.

Together with his wife and 15-year-old daughter Rachael, he organised charity concerts called Rock the Tumour which have raised £9,000 in two years.

But after two-and-a-half years in remission, the cancer came back last year and when he realised he had lost the battle he decided to book his own funeral and made a tape to be played.

Mrs Faunthorpe, who would like to thank doctors and staff at the Yorkshire Clinic in Bingley where he underwent most of his treatment, has received a letter from the hospital which described him as "down to earth, cheerful throughout great adversity and a delightful personality".

Andrea Bacon, Cancer Research Campaign community fundraiser for the Bradford area, said the events he started would continue in his memory.

She said: "We are very sorry to hear of the family's tragic loss. Chris and his family worked very closely together and did everything they possibly could to help further research into new treatments for cancer.

"Their Rock the Tumour events last year and this year were truly inspirational - they raised more than £9,000 altogether - and now it's set to become an annual event in memory of Chris."

His funeral was yesterday at Idle United Reformed Church before cremation at Nab Wood.