Tributes have been paid to a beloved grandfather who died after a short illness.

Dave Newton, from Macclesfield, was admitted to Macclesfield Hospital in January with a chest infection.

However it developed into pneumonia and his heart stopped.

He was resuscitated, but after a brave battle Dave died on February 16 surrounded by his family.

His funeral will take place at Macclesfield Crematorium on Wednesday, March 2 at 1.20pm.

Paying tribute, his son Lee, 31, said: “Dad was Macclesfield through and through.

“He was well known in the town. He was hardworking and enjoyed a laugh.

“He was a great dad, and lovely grandfather.

“We will miss him a lot.”

Dave was born to mum Rene and dad Jack and grew up with brother Mick on the Moss estate.

After school he trained as a painter and decorator, eventually running his own business.

He met and married Julie and they raised her two children Martin and Cheryl, before Lee arrived in 1984.

The family lived in Victoria Park flats until the couple split when Lee was five.

Despite the upheaval Lee retained a close relationship with his dad.

Lee said: “We would go and see his beloved Macclesfield Town play football almost every Saturday, and go to some away matches.

“We would go fishing together at the canal or at Knight’s Pool.

“I have fond memories of that time because dad would nip off round the corner to my nana’s and come back with goodies for lunch.

“When I was old enough to go to the pub we joined a pool team and played together for a few years.”

Lee later married Sarah and moved to Biddulph where they live with their three children Joshua, Lily-Mae and Emily.

Dave, who later worked as a cleaner, found love again with his long-term partner Karen and they lived at Pennine Court on the Hurdsfield estate.

Lee said his dad’s illness had come suddenly.

He said: “When he first went to hospital we didn’t worry it was serious, but he went down hill.

“He was on life support for two weeks but recovered to be able to make his peace and say goodbye.

“He took his last breaths with me holding one hand and Mick holding his other.

“It was really sad to lose him, but we have a lot of fond memories.”