The life of a revered and well-loved pub landlord in Northumberland Heath will be celebrated next month.

Alan Jones, known as Jonsey, ran the Duchess of Kent in Brook Street. He passed away last September at the age of 63 from a heart attack, leaving an indelible mark on his community.

Jonsey’s family are raising money for the St Thomas's Intensive Therapy Fund 748, which cared for the keen golfer after he was rushed into surgery.

His partner Sharon McHattie, 55, said: "We are so grateful to the ward for what they have done. It was heart breaking. He was considered for major surgery but his heart just couldn’t take anymore - he couldn’t get strong enough."

The milkman, turned printer, turned landlord brought 1,000 people to his funeral with hundreds spilling out the doors.

A year on, the memorial will be held at Redlibbets Golf Course where Jonsey could often be found swinging his clubs. The celebrations will be brought back to the pub for a charity evening, including a disco, photobooth, food and raffle.

His daughter, Laura Atkins, 27, said: "Dad was always a keen golfer. We want to make it a happy event, more the merrier. Dad’s passing came out of no where. The community is different without him, it is definitely a sadder place for losing him."

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Jonsey was playing pool when he felt the onset of what would later be diagnosed as a heart attack.

The 27-year-old said: "To be honest it doesn’t feel real, it doesn’t feel like it’s happened. It’s like I’m still expecting to see Dad in the pub. It’s shown me how scary life is. I now live each day as it comes. You have no clue what’s around the corner."

Jonsey’s son, Grant Jones, 25, and Sharon McHattie now run the Duchess of Kent, but they know they have big shoes to fill.

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Jonsey and his partner Sharon McHattie

Ms McHattie said: "This is the first memorial for Alan. We know it will be very emotional and very special."

The event, on September 26, is being publicised on facebook and the family are expecting a big turnout.