Tommy Wood (63) lost his battle with the disease last June, leaving his loved ones and the close-knit fishing community devastated.

The keen fisherman, from Fletton, Peterborough, spent many a happy hour out on a boat at Elinor Trout Fishery, in Aldwinckle, near Oundle, where he was a part-time bailiff.

So when his close pal John Wildman was deciding where to hold a memorial fishing cup dedicated to Mr Wood, he could think of nowhere better than the picturesque reservoir.

On Sunday, more than 20 of his friends will take part in the event, with the money raised going to the city's Sue Ryder Care Thorpe Hall Hospice, where he was cared for in his final days.

And Mr Wildman (70) of Lyme Walk, Netherton, Peterborough, is also hoping his family, who he has lost contact with, will come along too.

He said his daughter, who he last spoke to at Mr Wood's funeral, expressed a wish to scatter her father's ashes there – his favourite fishing spot.

He said: "Tommy was a great friend to me and I had known him for 20 years.

"He was a great character to those who knew him and could tell a story or two.

"He liked a pint or two and had many friends at Perkins Engines, where he used to work, and a lot of fishing friends.

"He was down-to-earth, a very good friend and I loved him to bits."

Mr Wildman recalled how his pal found a lump on his thigh last year and Edward Foster, who runs the fishery, rushed him to London. Surgeons operated on the growth, which turned out to be cancerous, the next day.

He recovered, but sadly the cancer returned.

Mr Wildman said: "He deteriorated and died soon afterwards, so thankfully he didn't suffer for too long."

He added: "I can't seem to contact any of his family. I think his daughter Bobby Jo has moved to Fletton. It would be good if they read the story and came along on Sunday."

Mr Foster said: "Tommy was a great character and a superb buzzer angler who taught me how to fish this deadly method well before it became the norm on reservoirs."

The event will take place between 9.30am and 3.30pm on Sunday, May 18 and is open to all.

A special cup with an inscription dedicated to Mr Wood will be presented to the winner. It is set to become an annual event.

People can donate as much as they want to enter.