When Peter Nixon was told he would have to take his dying brother to Millom or Penrith – staff at Maryport hospital assured him: “He will stay here.”

He was told by adamant nurses: “Philip is a Maryport lad. We are keeping him here.”

Stay he did – and Mr Nixon said the care that was lavished on him was second to none.

That, Mr Nixon said, is what all Maryport and district people are entitled to, whether they are terminally ill or recuperating.

Philip Nixon was 46 when he died of a brain tumour in August last year.

He was profoundly deaf and had a learning disability but nothing stopped him. He was involved in the local carnival committee and the Labour Club.

He attended Allerdale COSC and wrote poetry with the Parkhill Poets.

He loved sport and photography. He worked at the local Co-op and was one of the town’s best known and popular residents.

Mr Nixon, who owns Nixon’s Furnishings in Maryport, said prior to going to Maryport cottage hospital, his brother spent eight weeks in Newcastle.

He said: “I had to make that long and sometimes very lonely trip to Newcastle several times a week.

“We didn’t tell Philip he was dying although I think by the end he knew it.”

He said he did not want his brother to be lonely or frightened.

“Once he got to Maryport the care was wonderful. He was able to have visitors.

“People were popping in all the time – or knocking on the window to wave to him.”

He said he was able to take in Philip’s favourite Chinese takeaway and a beer in for him to enjoy. “We cannot lose this service which is why we all need to support the campaign,” he said.