Steve, who was 49, had worked tirelessly on the project to plant a new 42-acre woodland between Hartford and Weaverham.

But he was diagnosed with cancer shortly after joining other villagers in June to celebrate the project's success.

Steve, who lived in Shady Brook Lane, Weaverham, was a member of the Woodland Trust which set up the woodland scheme.

He worked very closely with Joyce Hooper, clerk of Hartford Parish Council to get enough money together to pay for the wood - which is due to be created this autumn.

She said: "I stood with him on the field where the wood will be planted - just after all the money had been raised. He was very pleased to know the project had come to life."

In just months £15,000 was raised by Hartford and Weaverham to ensure the project would go ahead. Chairman of Weaverham Parish Council Clr Brian Jamieson said: "Without Steve I expect the wood would never have happened. And it is some achievement for the community to be involved in the fund-raising and the design of such a project. Steve twisted our arms to get us to chip in!

"He was really nice and worked tremendously hard. He will be missed dearly. The woodland will be a memorial to him."

Suzanne Crowther, of the Woodland Trust, added: "Steve and his wife have been members of the trust since 1987. Steve was very dynamic. He did a lot of local door-to-door work and the success of the appeal is very much down to him.

"We were shocked and saddened to hear of his death and pay tribute to his hard work. We are looking at having some sort of memorial for Steve in the wood.

"He achieved a wonderful thing at the end of his life. Something which will be lasting."

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