TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘true legend’ who sadly lost his battle with cancer.

Richard Hardingham, 31, was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer in 2017.

In February last year he discovered the disease had spread to his liver and lungs, and was given just 12 months to live.

He sadly died at the end of January with his family around him - just four months after marrying his partner of 12 years, Kayleigh.

The father-of-six, from Colchester, was best known for his love of cars.

He organised the Colchester Car Enthusiasts club - and it was a club with a difference.

The enthusiasts were which renowned for being advocates of safe driving, working with the police and council to rid the stigma around car meets.

He also did a lot for charity, including helping the homeless and supporting children and families with debilitating health conditions.

In September, he married fiancee Kayleigh at the place where they first met - Colchester Castle.

Gift of a Wedding, a charity organising weddings for people with a terminal or life-shortening illness, put the wheels in motion to let the couple use the castle as a backdrop for their big day.

The couple had their first date at the castle, and Colchester was the one place Richard “felt at home”.

His older brother David said he was a great dad to his six children, and was a great listening ear.

He said: “I just want to say it’s the little things I’ll miss about my brother - the crazy chats, the hours working on cars. Cars and his family were his life.

“But the think I will miss the most is how he had the ability to make you feel better when things were bad, and watching what a great dad he was.

“I just want to say how much I love him and miss him, and always will.”

Richard had three brothers and a sister.

He was also a man of many trades, working for Anglian Water and on railways throughout his life.

A convoy of cars will be following Richard from their home to Colchester Crematorium, where his funeral will be held on February 26.