A Kearsley dad has died of CJD -- the human form of mad cow disease.

Doctors believe Graham Wood, aged 39, contracted the brain-wasting disease through eating meat -- and his life slowly ebbed away in a tragic year-long battle.

The father-of-two's family, including wife Maria, a nurse at Royal Bolton Hospital, spent days by his bedside at Hope Hospital, Salford.

Victims of CJD -- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease -- suffer symptoms of dementia and lose the ability to walk or talk.

Popular Mr Wood, an engineer who used to work at British Aerospace's plant in Lostock, lost his brave fight on Tuesday, October 13, and earlier this week more than 300 people packed into Christ Church Walmsley, for his funeral.

Church curate Rev Wendy Oliver, who attended the service officiated by Kearsley vicar Rev Kevin Wainwright, said: "People were absolutely distraught because they said Mr Wood was a truly genuine person who lived life for others." Yesterday Mr Wood's mother Rhona, of Bromley Cross, Bolton, confirmed her son had died of CJD. The family understood he contracted the disease after eating meat, but said her family were too upset to talk fully about the tragedy.

She added: "No-one knows when or where he got the illness, but I know I've lost a wonderful son who was popular with many people."

Mr Wood first showed signs of ill health about a year ago, but friends told the BEN no-one initially realised the seriousness of his condition. Earlier this year Mr Wood, who has two daughters and a step-daughter, moved from his terraced home in Joseph Street, Bolton, to Kearsley.

But, as more serious symptoms emerged he was taken to Hope Hospital for round-the-clock care.

A former neighbour in Farnworth told the BEN: "No-one here can believe it. Graham was a smashing lad. One minute he seemed healthy and his usual self and the next he was dying in hospital."

CJD -- an incurable virus which attacks the brain -- can lie dormant in the body for up to 30 years, but victims cannot infect others.

A spokesman for Wigan and Bolton Authority said it had no role with CJD cases and said all deaths were monitored nationally by the Department of Health.

Government ministers introduced widespread cattle culls after a link between CJD and BSE -- a slow-developing disease which destroys the nervous system of cows -- was established in 1996.

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