LOVING tributes have been pouring out to celebrate the life of a well-known musician from Ulverston.

Dave "Dapper" Miller was well known across Furness for his fun-loving character and his passion for music.

He died at his home in Maple Avenue, Ulverston, on Monday after recently being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

His wife, Marea, said: "He was the loveliest patient right up to the end.

"All the neighbours loved him and they all knew him.

"He liked a bit of fun and liked to take the mickey out of everyone, he loved the banter."

The 69-year-old was known for his musical talent and played in at least a dozen bands over the years, including a country music quartet, Desporados, Bloodshot Eyes and the electric folk band Bag O' Rags.

Former band-mate and long-term friend Paul Bryden said: "He certainly was a one-off and he’ll be missed by a whole lot of people."

The pair used to perform together every Sunday for four years at the Coot on the Tarn in Great Urswick - and even had their chance at stardom when a scout from popular TV programme New Faces tried to poach Bag O' Rags for the show.

But, it wasn't just music which made Mr Miller so spirited.

On St George's Day in 2005, he married Barrow-born partner Marea in Ulverston and they celebrated their nuptials with a fancy-dress after party.

Bag O' Rags reunited especially for the occasion and played all night.

Mr Miller's stepdaughter, Caroline, called him a "light-hearted" person who was always thinking of others.

She said: "I was in hospital in Edinburgh in 2014 and he arranged privately with nurses when would a good time be to visit.

"He travelled all that way just for an hour because that was the kind of person he was."

Mr Miller, who played the bass guitar and harmonica, had been complaining of double vision around eight weeks ago and was sent for a CT scan.

Following a biopsy, doctors confirmed the 69-year-old had a tumour in his brain and gave him three weeks to live.

Mrs Miller, who works at Furness General Hospital, said: "It was all so quick but everyone has been so supportive, especially my colleagues."

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