TOUCHING tributes have been paid to a much-loved husband, father and friend who died suddenly at the age of 49 during a holiday in Malta.

Born in Weymouth, Leeham Prince moved to Fleet in Hampshire before returning to Poole and setting up home in Barns Road, Ferndown, with his future wife Jackie. The couple met on Poole Quay and had been together for ten years, tying the knot at Poole registry office.

Leeham had two sons; Stuart, 19, and Rob, 17, and two stepchildren; Kristian, 22, and Deanna, 19. He was eagerly awaiting the birth of his first grandchild in September.

The HGV driver had worked for AET Transport Services Ltd at Holton Heath near Poole for ten years and travelled all over Europe in his truck.

Jackie said: “His truck was his pride and joy; Leeham kept it spotless. He was a very chilled out, methodical man. I never knew him to raise his voice; he was a calming influence on the whole family.

“Leeham was born with a heart defect but we didn’t know until it was too late; he had never had a day off work through sickness and had passed all the medical checks for his driving job.”

A keen cook and gardener, Leeham adored pottering in his garden shed and greenhouse. Jackie said: “He had a place for everything; even the flowers had to be in height order. I worked away all week and when I returned at the weekends everything was sorted; he was my soul mate and I can’t imagine life without Leeham.”

Leeham passed away on June 12 after suffering a heart attack in the couple’s hotel room. His body was repatriated and he was transported, on his beloved truck, to his funeral service at Poole Crematorium on July 5.