Tributes from family to triplets' father Graham

A keen letter writer who fathered the Midlands' only known identical male triplets in the early 1960s has died. Graham Tunney was aged 75.

Mr Tunney, who often had his letters printed in the Express & Star, also featured in the newspaper with wife Pauline when she gave birth to their three sons Andrew, Paul and Martin.

The triplets, who will celebrate their 50th birthdays next year, went on to be minor celebrities in the West Midlands, opening a cinema and featuring in a BBC documentary.

The family of Mr Tunney today paid tribute to a "devoted husband, caring father and grandfather", who died in hospital on July 2 after a short battle with pulmonary disease. Mr Tunney's daughter Lisa said: "Dad had been writing to the Express & Star for about five years.

"He used to buy the paper every day, and when something would rile him, he'd write in about it. He was awarded letter of the week on one occasion, which he was very proud about."

Mr Tunney was born in Wolverhampton and grew up in Blackburn Avenue, Claregate. He served as a paramedic in the RAF from the age of 19.

Mr Tunney worked as principal health and safety officer for Birmingham City Council and married his wife, now 71, in 1960. The pair celebrated their golden wedding in February.

They had four children the triplets, as well as daughter Lisa, 42.