A terminally ill man has died just 22 days after marrying the "love of his life".

Simon Cooper died on Sunday surrounded by his new wife, Claire, and family and friends. The couple had married at the North London Hospice in Finchley, north London, on June 21.

The ceremony was organised in less than 24 hours after doctors warned Mr Cooper that his time was running out.

Paul Cooper, father of the 33-year old, said: "It was very peaceful. We are just so pleased he got his wish, which was to marry Claire. "She is one in a million. What can I tell you, there are not many girls like her who would stick around for what she has. She has been brilliant and is something very special."

Mr Cooper added that his son had never believed he would die after being diagnosed with cancer in February and had remained optimistic until the end.

"Even on Friday and Saturday before he died he was with it and not in any distress," Mr Cooper said.

"Simon never thought he would be beaten, even in the last few days when we took him to hospital. Doctors asked him how he was feeling, and he just said, 'not so great'. He was a fighter."

A keen musician, Simon Cooper was shocked to discover he had lung cancer having struggled for his whole life with cystic fibrosis. He started chemotherapy immediately, but after three weeks, tests showed the cancer had spread.

It was at that moment that he knew he wanted to marry Claire. Following their wedding last month he told the JC how happy he was "to realise that dream".

Hospice staff organised a civil ceremony followed by a Jewish blessing performed by Rabbi Yuval Keren. Pop duo Chas and Dave were among the guests.

Rabbi Keren, of Southgate Progressive Synagogue, also officiated at the funeral on Tuesday. More than 200 of Mr Cooper's family and friends attended.

Rabbi Keren said: "Simon would have loved it. There was singing, everyone wore bright colours as Simon had asked. It was very moving."