A WAKE will be held at the Black Horse pub, Sidmouth, after the funeral of popular Sidmouth man Keith Jordan, who collapsed while working at Sidmouth War Memorial Club last Monday.

A WAKE will be held at the Black Horse pub, Sidmouth, after the funeral of popular Sidmouth man Keith Jordan, who collapsed while working at Sidmouth War Memorial Club last Monday.

Mr Jordan, 49, who had a massive coronary, was airlifted to hospital in Exeter but died on Thursday afternoon without regaining consciousness.

Ian Thomas, club steward, and treasurer Chris Ward, tried to revive the assistant steward, who had worked at the club for four years, before paramedics took over.

Many people in Sidmouth are expected at Mr Jordan's funeral at St Peter's Chapel, Exeter Crematorium on Monday, March 2 at 2pm as well as the pub wake, which will celebrate his life.

Landlady Lynnette Helmer said: "Keith was a regular at the Black Horse and he knew a lot of people in Sidmouth.

"He was highly entertaining. He made me laugh every day for the five years I have been here.

"He was very much a mickey-taker with a dry sense of humour, but was always very kind and supportive of anyone trying to do something. He would always help them, and for youngsters he was there with a bit of advice."

Sidmouth born Mr Jordan went to All Saints Infants and Sidmouth College. He was unmarried and lived with his mother Myrtle in Brewery Lane.

His older sister, Amanda Spooner, who is caring for Mrs Jordan at her Paignton home, told the Herald: "His death was totally unexpected, nothing had happened to give any indication. It was very much out of the blue."

She said her mother, who is 82, was "shell-shocked" by her son's death. "It is not something you expect. You don't expect children to die before you," said Mrs Spooner.

After leaving school Mr Jordan worked as a typesetter for a local printing firm, then in Victoria Wine and Martins newsagents. He was also barman at Sidmouth Football Club.

"He used to enjoy darts and played for various teams," said Mrs Spooner, who described her brother "as a private person in his own way."

She added: "He will be very much missed by me, my husband and our two girls. He was a very special person.