Friends and family of former Whitesnake guitarist Mel Galley are invited to pay their last respects to the Cannock star at his funeral next week.

The service will be held at St John’s Church, in Heath Hayes, at 2.45pm on Wednesday.

The former Whitesnake and Trapeze songwriter and guitarist was given only weeks to live in February.

He died of cancer on Tuesday night at his home in Bank Street, Heath Hayes, nursed by his wife Annette.

The 60-year-old used his time to say goodbye to his friends, including lifelong pal and former bandmate Glenn Hughes who flew over to see him from his Los Angeles home.

Tributes have been flowing in for the musician.

DJ and TV star Chris Evans said: “He was a fine man, never knowingly besmirched by anyone. We’ve lost a good one there.”