A DOTING father-of-two has died from meningitis while working away from home.

Gavin Peart from Darlington, was working in Edinburgh for MSS Ltd of York when he died in hospital on Sunday January 27.

The 30-year-old had worked for the firm for 18 months and was looking forward to a contract in Cyprus when he was taken ill.

His widow Christine said: "He used to work all over the country and he loved his job.

"It was such a shock. One minute he was healthy and the next minute he was gone."

The youngest of four children, Mr Peart, lived all his life in Darlington and was a pupil at Heathfield Primary School and Eastbourne School.

He met his future wife, in 1999 while she was working at the Wheatsheaf pub in Darlington.

They had a daughter, Georgina, now one, and moved into their home in Estoril Road South just days before they got married in June 2001.

Mrs Peart said: "He was a great father and really loved his daughter.

"He was also a really good stepdad to my son Robbie who is seven. They were really close."

Having been a Liverpool FC fan in his early days he became a season ticket holder for Middlesbrough FC in later life.

The other main passions in his life were fishing and music - he wrote his own songs and taught himself how to play the guitar.

Mr Peart's mother, Tessa said: "He loved all his family - his sisters, brother and nieces and nephews.

"He had the driest sense of humour and was so quick with everyone.

"He was quiet but friendly and had the most loving nature.

"He will be really missed by everyone. We have received literally hundreds of cards and flowers and we want to thank everyone for thinking of us."

Mr Peart was a donor card carrier and after his death his vital organs were donated to help others.

A funeral service will be held on Monday at St John's Church in Darlington at 12.30pm followed by a private interment.

Donations should be sent to the Meningitis Research Foundation in lieu of flowers.