THE 11th Earl of Coventry, from Earl's Croome, died suddenly last Friday after a heart attack.

The 68-year-old, who had been staying at a family home in Spain with his wife Rachel, Countess of Coventry, was admitted to Malaga hospital on Wednesday, June 12. He had suffered a stroke two years ago but made a good recovery.

The Coventrys had been on an extended break, prior to their 10th wedding anniversary next month.

Speaking from Spain, the countess said the death of her husband, George William (known as Bill), was a terrible shock.

"He was a kind, generous and brave man which will never be forgotten," she said. "He was a real character with a wicked sense of humour, something that remained right to the last day. We were hoping to celebrate our tenth anniversary in July but that's not to be."

The earl inherited the title at the age of six, after his father was killed in action with the Worcestershire Regiment in 1940.

Eton and Sandhurst educated, he worked at Lloyds of London and was an officer in the Coldstream Guards. He later worked for Worcester firm of Heenan and Froude Ltd.

A trustee of the countess' charity, the Noah's Ark Trust, and a patron of Worcestershire County Cricket Club, he lost his only son Edward (Ted) Viscount Deerhurst, by his first wife Marie Farquhar-Medard, five years ago. His cousin, Francis Henry Coventry, is heir to the title.

His funeral is at noon on Wednesday (June 26) at Upton Parish Church, followed by internment at Earl's Croome Church.