Alan pays tribute following death of identical twin

Alan Heath, 59, spoke of his devastation after twin brother John, from Sadberge, near Darlington, died from a heart-attack last week whilst playing golf. He was due to retire next year.

Over 300 mourners attended the funeral service at St. Andrew's church in Sadberge on Wednesday, with many more gathering outside to pay their last respects.

Speaking at the funeral, Alan said: "We have had a wonderful life together, he was my work-mate, play-mate and best friend.

"We hated being twins but loved being brothers. I wish I was a twin now."

Alan later said it was a testament to his brother's good character that so many people turned up.

"He was always well-respected and liked whether it be through his work, sport or social life, he was full of charm."

The brothers were born in Stockton in 1948. Their mother Freda only knew she was having twins 48 hours before their birth, sparking a shopping spree to accommodate the extra baby.

The pair were inseparable from birth, playing for the same Stockton Sunday League Cup winning football teams, KGH Club and later Tees Heating. In 1981, the brothers started their own plumbing and heating firm, Twin Plumbing. The business employed as many as 50 people, and served the whole of the region and beyond.

With retirement less than a year away, John took a step away from the business, spending more time with his wife Marilyn and on the golf course. Sport was central John's life. The Middlesbrough FC season-ticket holder followed his team, with Alan, four times to Wembley and into Europe on each away game of Boro's historic 2006 UEFA Cup campaign.

John's only daughter, Sarah, 26, said that as a child she used to wear a Middlesbrough FC shirt to keep her dad happy. "He was a very active dad," she added. "If we went to a theme park he was always the first on the rides. He wasn't one to stand and watch and never did anything half-heartedly. All my friends loved him because he was so much fun."