Bradford snooker star Joe Johnson spent the festive period at the bedside of his ill mother, who died in intensive care on Wednesday.

Margaret Johnson was 72 and was suffering heart problems. She had been admitted to the intensive care unit on Christmas Eve.

Her family are asking for donations for Bradford Royal Infirmary's intensive care unit instead of flowers at her funeral next week.

Mrs Johnson was born in Burnley and moved to Bradford at the age of 14. She married Ken and worked as a cook at the Midland Bank in the city until retiring at the age of 60. She lived in Girlington. Joe's close friend and business partner Dave Shipley said Joe and his mother had always been extremely close. "He saw her every day," he said.

"When she was in intensive care her heartbeat kept dropping but when Joe talked to her, her heart beat shot up. She knew he was there.

"Joe said he was so grateful to the staff at the unit. They were absolutely marvellous."

Widow Mrs Johnson leaves a sister, Kathleen Smith, son Joe and daughter Sylvia.

Her funeral will take place at Nab Wood Crematorium on Thursday, January 4 at 1pm.