An amatuer musician who played in the same orchestra for more than 50 years has died following an 18 month battle with blood cancer.

Jerry Finlay, of Orchard Drive, Watford, played oboe and cor anglais, a woodwind instrument, for the St Albans Symphony Orchestra until he was forced to retire due to ill health.

He also played for a number of other groups including the Bucks Chamber Orchestra and the London Gay Symphonic Wind Band.

Mr Finlay was also well known in Watford, having compiled more than 5,000 wills while running the Watford Will Group.

He was also the husband of Watford borough councillor Keith Crout. They were together for 35 years and were in a civil partnership since 2008.

A funeral service will be held at St Luke’s Church in Langley Way, Watford on April 5 at 2.30pm.

Cllr Crout said: “Jerry endured an 18 month battle with the blood cancer Myeloma but received nothing but the best care from staff at Stanmore Orthopaedic and Watford General Hospital and the Watford Peace Hospice.”

Mr Finlay has died aged 78 and leaves behind a son, Tim, daughter, Elizabeth, and five grandchildren.