A DROITWICH Spa pensioner who was paying £14,000 for a life-saving heart operation has died just weeks before surgery.

Devastated wife Judith Forbes has paid tribute to her husband Robert, who suffered a fatal heart attack on Monday night.

The 67-year-old and his family decided to fund a triple heart bypass operation because the NHS waiting list was so long.

Mr Forbes was preparing for vital surgery at the Priory Hospital, in Edgbaston, on Sunday, February 3.

Mrs Forbes, of Hawford Place, told the Advertiser: "Robert was a caring man, adored by everyone.

"He paid into the NHS all his life only to be let down.

"We visited the Queen Elizabeth Hospital last year and were told the waiting list for the surgery Robert required was at least six months - we didn't have that long to wait.

"One doctor told us that half of his patients don't make it."

She added: "I can't believe my man has been taken from me, we were so happy and in love.

"Sixty-seven is no age."

The couple met through a lonely hearts column and married on New Year's Day 2000 at St Andrew's Hotel, in Droitwich.

Mr Forbes' first wife Lily died seven years ago in Cyprus of a heart attack.

He had two heart attacks at the age of 32, but had been healthy until being diagnosed with angina last year.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital spokeswoman Claire Austin said: "We offer our condolences to Mr Forbes family at such a sad time.

"He was only seen by one of our surgeons last Monday as an urgent case, and he's deeply shocked by the news."