DEVOTED dad Stuart Matthews died of a rare cancer - just days after complaining he felt unwell.

His devastated family has paid tribute to the former Gwent police constable and Falklands veteran, describing him as a wonderful father, husband and son.

Mr Matthews, from Holyoake Terrace, Pontnewynydd, Pontypool, died last Monday aged 40, after tests showed he had a tumour on his liver.

Mr Matthews, who leaves his wife of 16 years, Paula, 38, and two sons, Daniel, 15, and Joseph, 13, served as a constable for 13 years with Gwent Police. He was based at Risca when he left in 1996. He was working as a groundsman for the Celtic Manor Resort when he was taken ill.

His wife said: "We are absolutely distraught by his death and it's still sinking in. Stuart started feeling weak and tired and lost his appetite.

"We took him to the Royal Gwent Hospital where we found out he had the tumour on Saturday, November 10.

"A doctor told me he had never seen anything like it and was unlikely to do so again. He just deteriorated so rapidly."

She added: "Everybody liked him and he was quiet man who just got on with things and never offended anybody. "I couldn't have asked for a better father for my children or a better husband. He would do anything for us."

Mr Matthews attended Abersychan Grammar and Technical School until he left to join the Royal Navy at the age of 16.

He served on HMS Avenger in the Falklands war, helping drop soldiers from the elite Special Boat Service ashore to carry out missions behind enemy lines. Mr Matthews' father David, 63, from Snatchwood Road, Abersychan, said: "A father could not have hoped for a better son.

"He never talked much about his time in the Falklands War but I knew it was tough for all of them down there."

He was planning to return to the Falklands next year on he 20th anniversary. "Stuart was a keen footballer and rugby player as a boy and I used to go and watch him. He became more interested in cricket as he got older and played for Pontnewynydd Cricket Club."

Mr Matthews' funeral was being held today at Ebenezer Church, Pontnewynydd. He also leaves his mother Ruth, 63, and sister Annette, 38. Donations for cancer research in lieu of flowers may be sent to E.I. Peake, funeral directors, Hanbury Road, Pontnewynydd.

*PICTURED: Stuart Matthews with wife, Paula ,and children, Daniel (left) and Joseph.