Family and friends of a popular taxi driver who died following a short cancer battle have organised a fundraising karaoke night in his memory to help others.

James Marriott, known to his friends as Jim, was a taxi driver in Norwich for more than 30 years but earlier this year died aged 62 just two months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

Mr Marriott, a father-of-one and grandfather-of-four, loved singing and was a regular at karaoke nights held in Spixworth, where he lived with his wife Jean for 13 years.

And tomorrow night, a karaoke night with auction and raffle will be held at Spixworth Social Club, on Crostwick Lane, in memory of Mr Marriott.

Mrs Marriott, who now lives in Rackheath, said her husband of nearly 25 years, who died in January, would have welcomed the idea.

She said: 'He would have loved it. He was a brilliant singer. He used to sing a lot of Frank Sinatra stuff. The year before he got diagnosed, we went on a cruise and he came second in a competition.'

She added: 'He was a cabbie in Norwich for 35 years. He was known very well in the rank beside the market. He had 5,000 followers on Twitter and really stood up for the black cab trade.

'We had a good life and went all over the world. His motto was I've had a good life. He enjoyed himself and was positive and smiley right up until the end. He always had a big smile on his face.'

Sandra Thurston, who has helped organise the event, said: 'Everyone has got someone they know who is suffering from some kind of cancer. It was just something we could do in memory of him and for everyone else whose lives are touched by cancer.'

The event takes place tomorrow at 8.30pm, with the auction starting at 9.30pm.

Log onto www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sandra-John to donate.

Are you doing something in memory of a loved one? Email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk