A steward who tended bars and clubs around the Black Country has died aged 66.

Terry Millward was last behind the bar of the Colley Gate Labour Club in Halesowen and retired two years ago.

His wife Jean today told how the couple had eloped to Gretna Green when she was a teenager. The 62-year-old, of Brook Lane, Cradley Heath, said her husband took great pride in keeping his cellars clean. She said: “Even if you went down to the cellar in carpet slippers he’d be checking the underneath.

“Nothing gave him greater pleasure than making sure he poured a good pint.

“He was a very quiet man but he was very dedicated.”

The couple, who have 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, married 44 years ago.

Mrs Millward was just 18 at the time and the couple eloped to the Scottish town of Gretna Green because her mother would not give consent.

She said: “We got the train up and we lived there from January 2 until we could get a marriage date on January 21.

“My mother was not very happy with us. We couldn’t tell her though because we would have been forced to come back. But we went through with it and we lived together for 44 happy years. I can honestly say I loved him more every day.”

The couple worked at the Spring Meadow pub in Old Hill, the Round Oak in Brierley Hill, the Reindeer in Cradley Heath, Netherton Labour Club, Dudley Ex-Servicemen’s Club and the Spring Meadow Social Club and the Colley Gate Labour Club at Wilson Hall.

Mr Millward had been receiving chemotherapy for lung cancer and died in Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, on April 16. He leaves two daughters, Tracey, aged 41, and Tanya, aged 38.

His funeral is tomorrow at 10.45am at Holy Trinity Church in Old Hill.