A woman has called for mass vaccination against swine flu after her ‘fit and healthy’ husband, died following a month-long battle with the virus.

Nigel Garth Bielby – known as Garth to friends and family – of Bourne Street, Wilmslow, was taken ill with a suspected chest infection on December 3 and died in Macclesfield Hospital on January 4. He was 58 and the first person in town to be diagnosed with swine flu.

Cathy Bielby, his wife of 36 years, said: "It’s on the news all the time that if you are fit and healthy you don’t need a flu jab, but Garth was fit and healthy.

"He had no underlying medical history whatsoever. But it just got hold of him and wouldn’t let go."

Mr Bielby was diagnosed with a chest infection on December 5, and taken to the hospital after antibiotics failed to clear it.

Mrs Bielby, who nursed her husband at home before he was admitted, said: "Swine flu didn’t even cross my mind. He was the first case at the hospital. Another patient came in and died but he battled on.

"He wasn’t a hospital person, but he never complained, he just let them get on with it."

She added: "The doctors were fantastic, they really did everything they could.

"The one thing I think should come out of this is for a mass vaccination like they do with measles and rubella."

Doctors confirmed Mr Bielby died after contracting swine flu before developing pneumonia.

His sister-in-law, Barbara Ranson, said: "We are all going to really, really miss him."

The car and DIY enthusiast, originally from Reddish, moved to Wilmslow with his wife in 1990. After working as a joiner, he became a sales rep for Andersons (wholesalers) Ltd in Bredbury.

His boss, Bob Fyfe, said: "He was a well-liked, well-respected member of staff, liked by his colleagues and his customers, and we will miss him. He was such a nice chap.

"He worked for us for more than 20 years. He came to work on the Friday and said he felt unwell but worked a full day. On December 6, Cathy rang to say he would be staying at home for a few days. It was a real surprise for us all."

A private funeral will be held in Manchester on Saturday. For details contact A R Slack, Funeral Directors, on 01625 525063.

All routine surgical operations at Macclesfield Hos-pital this week have been postponed. Wilmslow patients due to have non-emergency procedures from January 10-14 must wait to be given a new date as health bosses make way for increased numbers of seriously-ill patients,- including those with swine flu, freeing 32 beds for emergencies.