A WIDOW has paid tribute to her Royal Air Force officer husband who has died of cancer, aged 48.

Forty-six year Julie Clayton, of Hampden Road, Malvern, said husband Charles - a former chairman of the Worcester Cathedral Choir Association - was always happy - despite battling against the disease.

She met the RAF officer - who died last month - at RAF Sealand in North Wales, where he was serving and she was working in the personnel section.

"He was known as Cheerful Charlie - he was very happy even when he fell off his bike for instance," she said.

More than 500 people packed Worcester Cathedral on Friday as people paid their last respects at a funeral service with full military honours.

Wing Commander Charles Clayton was born in Leicester in 1956 and was brought up in Solihull.

He joined the RAF at the age of 19 and became adjutant to a Harrier squadron, serving in Belize, Norway and Germany, among other postings.

He was married in north Wales in 1979 and the couple moved to Malvern from Cambridge 14 years ago after their 24-year-old son Allan became a chorister for Worcester Cathedral.

The couple were both also involved in the Worcester Cathedral Choir Association, with Wing Cmdr Clayton acting as its chairman between 1992 and 1995.

During his time with the association, he helped organise the choir's groundbreaking tour of South Africa after the fall of apartheid.

He was also involved with Malvern's Police Community Action Group in a bid to instigate projects for youngsters in the town.

However, he had to give up work last February after being diagnosed with cancer in October 2002. He died at his home last month.

"He had a lot of friends because of moving around with the RAF and then of course with the choir association and worshipping at the Cathedral," said Mrs Harris.

Wing Cmdr Clayton - who enjoyed racket sports - also leaves behind a 19-year-old daughter, Jessica.