THE funeral date for a much-loved former landlord from Neston has been confirmed.

On Saturday, January 21 Neil 'Eggy' Egner fell suddenly ill and was rushed to Arrowe Park Hospital after his best friend, Ray Wilcock, found him extremely unwell at home.

Neil was put into intensive care and on the following Saturday (January 28) he died in hospital surrounded by his family.

Popular in the town, Neil worked at various pubs including Neston local, The Malt Shovel, which he ran for a number of years, and The Brown Horse, before he worked at Tesco in Heswall as a retail assistant for 10 years.

In an emotional tribute to the 54-year-old, Neil's family spoke to the Globe about his "good sense of humour."

Kerrie Manifold, Neil's eldest daughter said: "You would never see him without a smile on his face."

Peter Egner, Neil's only sibling added: "He had such a wicked sense of humour. He would find light in any situation."

The death of Neil came as a shock to the whole family that "none of them were expecting."

READ > Family pays tribute to Neston man who was 'always smiling'

Neil's family has confirmed to the Globe that Neil's funeral will be held at 12pm on Tuesday, February 28 at St Mary's and St Helen's Church, Neston.

They have asked anyone attending to "wear some Everton blue" for Neil and it is family flowers only.

The funeral will be followed by a private crematorium at Blacon crematorium.

Everyone is invited to celebrate Neil's life from 2pm onwards at The Malt Shovel pub, Neston.