A MUCH-loved Taunton newspaper and wedding photographer has died following a long illness.

Tommy 'Tom' Maxwell, 64, is mourned by Lyn, his wife of 47 years, their three daughters and grandchildren.

Childhood sweethearts, Newcastle-born Tommy and Lyn, married at 17 and moved to Taunton in 1986.

He worked for Star Newspapers, the Taunton Times and the County Gazette before freelancing.

He was in great demand as a wedding photographer for the quality of his work and for relaxing his clients through his easy charm.

His non-religious funeral was an emotional occasion attended by 20 invited mourners.

Lyn said: "We were together all the time for the past 47 years. It's hard. I've lost the love of my life.

"The night before he died, Tommy was telling me, 'You know I love you'. It's heartbreaking.

"He knew he was dying, but despite being so ill, he came home, saying he'd rather be with the family than spend his final days in hospital.

"It was a pleasure to look after him at home.

"Tommy was a fantastic husband and father to Suzanne, Adele and Gemma."

Tommy's love of photography stemmed from his hobby as a teenager and he was delighted to be given his first job as a photographer in Taunton.

His was interested in antiques, particularly art deco, and was a huge Agatha Christie and Lord of the Rings fan.

"He was just a happy, content man," added Lyn.

"He was very popular photographing weddings and was always lovely to the brides.

"We were down in Cornwall in December when we decided to come home to Taunton to be with his three daughters for the last six months or so.

"He'd been very poorly for the last couple of years, but through it all he was always cheery.

"He loved chatting. He was very popular and well-loved and I've been moved by all the lovely comments about him."

Lyn praised the "extremely compassionate, very professional" way in which staff at St Margaret's Hospice Care funeral service dealt with Tommy's death and funeral.

She said: "I chose them purely because of Tommy's dealing with the hospice during his time at the Gazette.

"Chris and Mark did everything with so much dignity and Julie was a beautiful lady the way she did everything, keeping in touch throughout and offering me coffee and tissues when I was inconsolable."