A BRAVE Swansea dad who lost his courageous battle against cancer on Boxing Day will have his last wish come true — having his ashes spread along the beach where he used to surf.

Arthur Griffiths, aged 41, of Woodcote, Killay, said to his wife Sheryl that he wanted his family to scatter his ashes over Llangennith beach in Gower from a helicopter.

Mr Griffiths, a train driver for First Great Western, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer which started in his groin five years ago.

When the father-of-two was told he had only months to live in April, Mrs Griffiths and their two sons Thomas, aged 15, and Jack, aged 13, bought a flying lesson — something that Mr Griffiths had always wanted to do.

Mrs Griffiths said: "We had a to-do list and one of the things he really wanted to was to learn to fly.

"It was such a lovely day and I know he really enjoyed the experience. Arf enjoyed surfing when he could and said he wanted a helicopter to fly over Llangennith and have his ashes scattered where he used to go surfing.

"I hate flying so I will have my hands over my face. It is typical of Arf wanting to do something like this!" The former Olchfa Comprehensive School pupil had a passion for football and was a Swans season ticket holder.

His wife of 16 years said he also enjoyed cars. She said: "He had wanted to go to Silverstone but unfortunately it did not happen. He loved cars — he changed his cars like he changed his socks."

Mrs Griffiths described her husband as strong willed, independent and a brave man who fought until the end.

She said: "We were hoping he would see the New Year through, but we didn't expect him to see Christmas.

"He held on for as long as he could because I know he wanted to be with his family on Christmas Day.

"He was able to watch the boys opening their presents and I think seeing the boys faces on Christmas Day gave him some peace.

"He was so strong minded and had an opinion on everything. He was always there and was a good friend to have.

"He fought cancer every inch of the way and did not let it get in the way of life. His attitude was 'this cancer is going to live with me, I am not going to live with it'.

"I am so proud of him. He did everything for his family and he would not have been happy if he had not provided for us.

"I will miss him so much."

Mr Griffiths is survived by his parents Richard and Merlyn Griffiths, his elder brother Michael Griffiths, aged 43, and his wife and sons.

laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk