A FATHER has died on honeymoon only days after he and his childhood sweetheart were married.

Steven Lathan, 36, was with wife Donna and daughter Katie when he collapsed in a bar in Cyprus.

The factory worker had only been married to Donna -his partner of 17-and-a-half years -for a week.

Mrs Lathan, 36, said: "We were at the pool table and he said my name and walked towards me and then suddenly he was at my feet. I am still in shock."

The couple, of Pinewood Square, Marley Pots, Sunderland, were married in a small ceremony in Paralimni, near their favourite resort of Protaras, on August 2, in front of two witnesses and their seven-year-old daughter, Katie.

They decided to keep the ceremony private, but knew that their families would be delighted when they returned home with the news.

Mr Lathan's mother, Sheila, 69, said: "He was such a lovely man - so caring and always looking out for me and his family.

"I just cannot get over it."

Mrs Lathan said their daughter, Katie, had been surprisingly strong, and said: "The first thing she said was 'mum, we still have our memories'.

"She has been my little rock. I am so proud of her."

Mr Lathan was a healthy, active man who loved sport, but suffered from an irregular heartbeat and was fitted with a pacemaker in 2005.

His brother, Barry, 32, said: "The last time I saw him he was playing in the garden with Katie, teaching her how to play cricket. He loved his sport and he loved his family."

His funeral will take place at Sunderland Crematorium at 11am on Friday.

His ashes will be scattered at the city's Stadium of Light football ground, where he watched many games as a lifelong fan.

A memorial brick will be placed there and at Celtic's stadium, where he often went to watch football matches with family friends Graeme and Carol Low