A HEARTBROKEN councillor whose wife recently died of cancer has spoken of facing the second lockdown without her.

Former Worcestershire County Council chairman, Peter Tomlinson, paid an emotional tribute to his late wife, Ali, after 24 years together.

Councillor Tomlinson, 77, thanked those who have been supporting him since Ali lost her battle with cancer on October 19, and he revealed that nearly £10,000 has been raised for Cancer Research UK in her memory so far.

Cllr Tomlinson, who lives in and is councillor for Ombersley, said: “It has been the happiest 24 years of my life with her, it has been an incredibly wonderful time for me. I feel the loss very very deeply.

“We have basically been in lockdown for a year, after her pancreatic cancer came back last September. She lived with the knowledge her life was going to end.

“Ali was shielding but came out with me when it was safe to do so. The last official engagement she did with me was March 6. We went into lockdown soon after and now, three days after her funeral, we are in lockdown again.

“I’m on my own, in more ways than one, just as I need my friends.”

Cllr Tomlinson said he would be living on his own during lockdown but had formed a bubble with his daughter and her family.

He said Ali would be remembered by many as Dr Summers, her former name, or Dr Ali as she specialised in community paediatrics, which he said was important work not often recognised.

“She worked in schools providing vital healthcare and dealing with children with learning difficulties, physical, mental health and hearing problems,” Mr Tomlinson said.

“She was based in Wyre Forest, she worked in a clinic in Kidderminster. That was her life until she retired in 2008.

“There will be a number of people who will remember she treated them, or their children.”

Cllr Tomlinson said in retirement she was able to enjoy her other passions in life, particularly music.

“She was a highly capable musician,” Cllr Tomlinson said. “She was gifted. In her school days was where it started - there was only one musical instrument needed on her school’s orchestra, the double bass.

“She took to it almost immediately, she played for a number of orchestras (throughout her life).

“Double bass players aren’t easy to come by, she was often asked to play, as she was more than just an amateur player.”

Cllr Tomlinson said his friends and family had been “absolutely brilliant” in supporting him, and explained that Chris Tarrant – who he has known since creating popular TV show Tiswas – had been in touch.

“Chris has been wonderful over these last couple of weeks, he has been helping me to get through it, which is lovely of him,” he said.

Cllr Tomlinson said many people had wanted to remember Ali by giving money to the “wonderful” charity, Cancer Research UK, through her fundraising page.

He said the total raised so far was just short of £10,000, so he was hoping that milestone could be reached.

Anyone who wants to make a donation can visit https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/ali-tomlinson-in-memoriam.