WHEN Neil Baxter was diagnosed with brain cancer, he resolved to write his life story before he died.

Months later - only days before he succumbed to the cancer - he saw his dream become a reality.

And although he was not able to make the book launch as he wished, he would have drawn comfort from the fact that, through his efforts, £1,000 was raised for Durham's St Cuthbert's Hospice.

His wife, Ann, of West Rainton, near Durham, said: "When Neil was diagnosed with a brain tumour, he knew he wasn't able to have any treatment.

"He decided he wanted to record his life for his children and grandchildren."

Mr Baxter, 75, started writing notes and later contacted his friend and author, David Hughes - known for his book on the history of the Co-op - to help him.

Mrs Baxter said: "They worked on it twice a week and it took them four months to finish the writing. David then had it printed into a book form and brought it around on a Sunday evening in July. I was able to read him some of the chapters. I have never seen him so delighted.

"Having seen his dying wish fulfilled, he passed away on the Thursday."

Mrs Baxter said: "No one expected him to die as quickly as he did. It turned out to be a very aggressive tumour.

"He thought he had a couple of months and would be able to make the book launch. He was really hoping to be there, but it was important to him that it was actually done."

Mr Hughes altered the ending of the book, so readers would know that he died before it was published.

The book charts the story of a remarkable man born in the 1930s into the poverty of mining community, who by his sheer determination went on to achieve the position of chief mechanical engineer with the National Coal Board.

Mrs Baxter said: "His education was interrupted when he was young, but his first wife, who died 30 years ago, was convent-educated and helped him."

After starting his life as a model builder in a shipyard, he went into the pits, became a foreman and within a year he was assistant engineer.

The management wanted him to become colliery engineer and when he told them he didn't have an education, they told him to get one.

Mr Baxter got his honours degree in mechanical engineering and went on to work as chief engineer running two pits, Seaham and Vane Tempest, both in Seaham.

After retiring, he bought land in West Rainton and, with the help of a bricklayer and two labourers, the Baxters built their dream home.

Mrs Baxter said: "Neil viewed the hospice not as somewhere people went to die, but as a place to live - somewhere people can talk to each other about their illness and not be afraid of it.

"He always said: 'I am happy. I have had a wonderful life'."

All 200 books have been sold and Mrs Baxter is hoping to have a second run published and is looking for a sponsor. Anyone who can help can contact her on 0191-584-5671.