POPULAR Stourbridge licensee Bob Vickers has died, aged 62, after a 13-month battle against cancer.

Bob, who had been landlord of the New Inn, on the corner of Cherry Street and Glebe Lane, Norton, for ten years, continued to help his wife, Jayne, to run the pub throughout his illness.

He started his working life at the former Round Oak Steelworks and later launched his own steel stockholding firm, KMT.

He then ran The Hamper, a delicatessen in Hagley, for 15 years and was also a former chairman of Brierley Hill Round Table.

After taking over the New Inn he launched the pub's annual golfing competition.

Bob, who married Jayne in Barbardos in 2000, also leaves a son, Mark, daughter, Jo, and grandchildren, Ben and Sophie.

The funeral was set for yesterday (Wednesday March 14) at St Mary's Church, Oldswinford, at 3.15pm, followed by cremation at Stourbridge at 4pm.

Pub regular Louise Jew said: "Bob had a wonderful sense of fun and style. He had a great sense of humour, like the clown models he placed around the pub, each named after a different customer, and the cartoons of regulars on the walls.

"He had a love of fine food, wine and music and always dressed immaculately, usually topped off with a stylish hat, scarf or waistcoat.

"During the last 13 months, while he has been ill, he has continued to carry out all the office work for the New Inn and often popped down to help out in the pub and chat to the regulars.

"Everyone has admired the dignity and courage with which he faced his illness and we're all going to miss him enormously."

The family asked for donations for Stourbridge's Mary Stevens Hospice in lieu of flowers.