'Inspirational' cancer blogger remembered at funeral

A former Wolverhampton City Council employee, who had thousands of followers on social media as he charted his battle with stomach cancer, will be remembered at a funeral service today.

Steve Evans died on January 16 from incurable stomach cancer.

He had previously worked at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall for more than 20 years, and was also an amateur comic.

His approach has been described by many as 'inspirational', and he regularly took part in local and national radio programmes to talk about his battle and use of social media in the form of his blog and Twitter feed.

He gained celebrity support during his illness, after being interviewed on many occasions on BBC Radio 5 Live by Richard Bacon, the last time from his hospital bed just two days before his death.

Today Wolverhampton City Council posted a tweet showing flags flying there at half-mast.

Since his death more than £12,000 has been raised online for the Compton Hospice in Wolverhampton, where Mr Evans was cared for in his final days.

Messages of thanks have been posted by Steve's family on his Twitter account.

Mr Evans will be cremated at Bushbury Crematorium today.