A FORMER Weymouth man who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer has died aged 39.

Keith Trelfa was a leading aircraft mechanic at RNAS Portland from 1984 to 1990 and lived in Weymouth during that time.

Three friends, Steve Vitali, Sandy Reynolds and Rachel Facer, recently set up a trust fund to help Keith and his family and enrol him on an experimental treatment programme, but Keith died before he could start the programme.

Keith's best friend Steve, 38, of Upwey, said: "Keith was always a vibrant and likeable man with many close friends in Weymouth. His energy and zest for life will be sadly missed from our lives but we will continue to remember him and regularly celebrate his life when his family visits us.

"We want to thank everyone who has been so supportive of the Keith Trelfa Family Trust.

"We'll continue to collect donations for the next few months for Keith's family."

Keith was diagnosed with a brain tumour three years ago and had been given the all-clear after an operation.

But just after Christmas last year he was told the tumour had returned and he was given just three to six months to live.

Keith had recently been living in a hospice in his home town of Manchester where his wife Pauline and seven-year-old daughter Lucy were constantly at his bedside.

He passed away during the evening last Sunday. During his time in Weymouth, Keith received a medal for his service in the Falklands and broke a weightlifting world record.

He also took part in the annual Fleet Air Arm Field Gun competition as part of the Royal Tournament at Earls Court and was part of the RNAS Portland team when they won a smaller version of the event, the Brickwoods Field Gun.

As a tribute to Keith, 18 ex-Field Gunners are planning to pull a Navy Field Gun through the town as part of Weymouth Carnival in August to help raise funds for the trust through the Rotary Club.

Keith's funeral will be held at Albion Church, Ashton Under Lyne in Manchester tomorrow at 11am. For more details or to donate to the trust call Steve on 01305 812240 or 07811 397586.