The unexpected death on Monday of Helston's deputy mayor, Mark Upton, has shocked all those who knew and loved him, none more so than his partner of 29 years, Gary Hunt.

Although Mr Upton had been ill since the beginning of the year when he was diagnosed with lung cancer, no-one had expected the end to come so soon. "It was a total shock," said Gary. "I knew he was quite poorly - it was only last week that the nurse said we were looking at weeks rather than months, but even then we did not expect it like that.

"I was all set for going through the 24 hour care. Mark wanted to die at home so we were all prepared for that, but when I got home last night he had already gone. It was a shock, we still thought we had time."

Mark and Gary had been a couple for 29 years and were among the first to tie the knot when same-sex marriage was legalised in 2014. They had hoped to marry at St Michael's Church, but not wanting to wait, they exchanged vows at the registry office with just their parents as guests. "He proposed on my birthday and we got married on his birthday," said Gary. "He was just my life really. He was very caring and he loved Helston.

"Although he was not originally from Helston, as soon as we moved here that was it - he was smitten."

Over the next 29 years, Mark became heavily involved with the local community, not least with the Penrose Community Centre and the Epworth Hall, where he had been chairman. He had been co-opted onto Helston Town Council in February 2013 and then stood for election that May and won his seat.

Last year, only two weeks before his wedding, Mark was elected deputy mayor of Helston, serving alongside town mayor, Mike Thomas, and retained the honour this year.

Mr Thomas paid tribute to his friend yesterday: "He was a very well known figure in the town and was very much involved in community affairs. He was regularly at town council meetings asking us questions but he moved from being in the public gallery asking questions to becoming a member - he made the transition really well. He was a very proactive person and an excellent councillor. He was a cheerful and jovial person - for him the glass was always half full.

"Towards the end of last year he began to have breathing difficulties and was diagnosed with lung cancer in the early part of this year. I went with him on one of his trips to Treliske. I grew to be very fond of him, we got on well. He will be greatly missed. He was a very strong person with a good heart."

It is not yet known when Mark's funeral service will be held, but it will take place at St Michael's Church in Helston.