A Suffolk man recalled his wonderful and loving wife as he placed a single red rose on a bench he has donated in her memory.

Charles Dewen, 75, said he had been devastated by the death of his wife Eve – but wanted to thank the home where she lived her last days for their tender care.

Mrs Dewen died at the age of 80 in March 2010 at The Firs residential home in Grange Road, Felixstowe.

She had been suffering from respiratory disease for some years and was confined to a wheelchair in her final days.

Mr Dewen, of Kingsfleet Road, Felixstowe, said: “She was a wonderful wife and I was heartbroken when she died.

“She had been unwell for a long time and as the illness got worse I couldn’t care for her at home and so she moved into The Firs.

“The staff at the home were marvellous and they cared for her superbly.

“I wanted to do something as a memorial for Eve but also something to thank the home for their care, and I thought the bench would be a lovely gesture as all the residents can enjoy sitting on it, outside in the gardens, on fine days.”

Mr Dewen, a retired security officer, handed over the bench to staff at the home and put in place a plaque to Eve who would be “forever in my heart”.

He said: “We were together for just over 17 years and we never had a cross word.”

Mr and Mrs Dewen met in Burnt Oak in the London borough of Barnet after they had both lost their spouses to cancer.

He said: “We met at a divorced and separated club and I popped the question after just seven weeks and we were married six weeks later – it was love at first sight.”