Tony Hopper's wife Sue has written a moving tribute to her husband and thanked friends and family for their support.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday night, she spoke of her pride in Tony, who died on Tuesday night after a battle with motor neurone disease.

She also said his memory and influence will live on in their three sons.

Sue also expressed her love and thanks for all those who had rallied around the family since Tony's diagnosis in January last year, including those who had contributed to his charity campaign and a separate appeal that enabled them to make some lasting family memories.

She wrote: "Last night I lost my best friend, lover, husband and daddy to our beautiful three boys.

"Tony was most certainly my better half and I will be lost without his calming influence in our crazy life.

"Tony, you will live on in Dan, Adam and Jack, who are so proud to have had you in their lives.

"Thankyou to everybody who contributed to our fund which enabled us to create lots of "Hoppy" memories since last January, we are forever in your debt.

"Also thankyou for supporting us in Tony's MNDA fightback fund, which currently stands in excess of £46k.

"To all of Tony's friends and family who have supported us over this journey...words cannot express how grateful I am, I could not have done it without you guys.

"I saw a quote once that said "some people see you in their free time and some people free their time to see you".

"Thankyou to the many people who have freed their time for us, we love you."

Sue posted a number of photos to accompany her tribute, which we have reproduced with permission.