A ROYAL Air Force officer who lived in Malvern Link has died, aged 48.

Wing Commander Charles Clayton had been diagnosed with cancer in 2002 and fought a brave battle against the disease, his family said this week.

He passed away on Monday, December 27, at the Malvern Link home the family had lived in since moving to the area in 1991.

Charles Clayton was born in Leicester in 1956 and 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. Latterly, he worked on the recruiting side.

"He was in charge of recruiting for the whole Midlands area and that's why we moved to Malvern," said his wife Julie. "Charlie loved the Malverns, which he knew from visits when he was growing up in Solihull."

Wing Cmdr Clayton was involved with Worcester Cathedral Choir Association, where his son was a leading member and 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 and with the campaign for CCTV cameras in the Link.

"He was known as Cheerful Charlie and he was always smiling, despite having cancer," said Mrs Clayton.

Wing Cmdr Clayton also leaves a son Allan, 24, and daughter Jessica, 19. A funeral service with full military honours will be held at noon on Friday, January 14, at Worcester Cathedral.

The family is asking for donations to be sent to St Richard's Hospice or the RAF Benevolent Fund, via Hollands Funeral Directors.