Two women told today how they were brought together by the sudden death of the man they both loved.

Council official Michael Milner, 51, died of a blood clot in a hotel bathroom while his partner, York council worker Christine Todhunter, was asleep. The couple were enjoying a ten-day holiday in Scotland, when the tragedy happened.

Michael's estranged wife of 27 years, Deirdrie, travelled to Scotland with her son, Nick, after hearing the news, staying at the hotel where he died.

Although the couple separated five-and-a-half years ago, they never divorced and as Michael's formal next-of-kin, Deirdrie took on the painful task of sorting out the arrangements. The post-mortem examination revealed Michael died instantly of thrombosis.

Christine and Deirdrie, who had never met before, said they formed a bond and consoled each other through the tragedy.

Deirdrie, who also works for City of York Council, even drove Christine back to her home in Hambleton, Selby, after the post-mortem. Michael and Christine, who formerly worked together as tax officers with Selby District Council, became partners shortly after his marriage separation. Christine, 52, said: "I'm absolutely devastated. Michael was my life. He'd been suffering with heartburn on the night he died. The last thing I said to him was: 'Are you all right darling?' When I woke up later he was dead.

"Mrs Milner has been an absolute rock through the whole thing and very good to me. We've really helped each through it."

Deirdrie, who lives in Wigginton, York, said Michael's death had been a "dreadful shock".

Michael was a well-known local football referee and enjoyed pottery and gardening in his spare time. His funeral will take place at St Mary's Church, Hambleton, on Monday, at 11.45am, followed by cremation at York Crematorium, at 1pm.

Updated: 10:48 Thursday, June 14, 2001