BIG-hearted Clive Burslem, who died of heart failure last November, has left a whopping £2,000 to Manchester and Cheshire Dogs' Homes.

The gift, bequeathed in his will, will top up the £450 raised by donations at Clive's funeral service at Dunham Massey Crematorium last December.

Executor and next-door neighbour John Jones, of Deansgate Lane, Timperley, said 71-year-old Clive, the owner of Timperley's Brook Lane Nursery, had always loved dogs - and other pets.

"He kept bees and canaries, but the love of his life were border-line collies,” said John, 69, a retired driver.

He added with a smile: "I can see him now with his last collie, Sally, who was finding it difficult to walk.

"Clive ceremoniously gently placed Sally in a wheelbarrow and pushed her to the nursery.

"He was also an extremely generous man and allowed me to grow vegetables in his nursery, which we shared when I dug them up.

"I knew him as a neighbour for 42 years and I have lost a good friend, who will be sadly missed by the local community.

"But his dying wish was to make sure neglected and abused dogs were cared for in a stable, caring home and that's why he left the £2,000 in his will for the Manchester and Cheshire Dogs' Home."

Corinna Clayton, the homes' fundraiser, said: "This is a marvellous gift for which we are all extremely grateful and the money will be well used for the maintenance and upkeep of dogs at our two homes - one in Manchester and the other in Grappenhall, Cheshire."

She added: "It's good hearted people like the late Clive Burslem that keep us going and give us hope.”