THE funeral of popular solicitor Martyn Morgan is to be held at Worcester Cathedral in the New Year.

Mr Morgan, head of QualitySolicitors Talbots - which has seven offices across the Black Country and Worcestershire, died suddenly on December 10, leaving friends, family and colleagues devastated.

The 60-year-old superfit residential property, who had run marathons and completed numerous long-distance charity cycle rides, is believed to have suffered a stroke.

Rachel Pardoe, practice director at QualitySolicitors Talbots, said Mr Morgan’s death had left all who knew him stunned but she stressed the firm, which has offices in Kidderminster and Stourport, would continue to “work hard to ensure Martyn’s vision – to remain one of the premier law firms in the West Midlands – is achieved”.

She said: “He always believed that local people and businesses shouldn’t have to travel to the big cities and pay extortionate fees to get the right legal advice when they need it most.”

And she added: “Talbots was like a second family to Martyn and he would have wanted us to get back to business as quickly as possible, ensuring we put the clients first.”

Such was Mr Morgan’s popularity in the legal sector and across Stourbridge where he’d been born and bred, hundreds are expected to turn out to his funeral which will be held at Worcester Cathedral on Wednesday January 6 at 11am.

The family has requested no flowers but donations to the Stourbridge based Chris Westwood Charity for children with physical disabilities – of which Mr Morgan was a founding trustee and dedicated supporter.

Cheques can be made payable to the Chris Westwood Charity and sent c/o Emma Rose at QualitySolicitors Talbots, 63 Market Street, Stourbridge, DY8 1AQ. Or people can call 01384 445850.