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A landlord stabbed to death was "more of a man than his killer could ever hope to be" said one of his devastated regular customers.

Christian Thornton, 49, nicknamed Tigger, was killed outside the Hammer and Pincers pub, on Liverpool Road, Widnes, on Sunday afternoon.

The killing sent shockwaves through the local community, and there has been outpourings of grief from those who knew Christian.

One regular customer at the pub, who did not wish to be named, told the ECHO: "Chris was an absolute gentleman. He was kind, compassionate, and he was also not backwards in coming forwards.

"If he had an issue with you he’d be open and honest about it and never minced his words.

"People who knew him loved, liked and respected Chris for the work he did for charities. If he said he’ll help you out he’d put 100% into it and no stone would be left unturned.

"Chris worked tirelessly every single day to provide for his family. The person who did this had no right whatsoever to take him away from everyone who knew him, especially his family.

"He had no rights to be at his pub with a knife. It’s the old cliché that people will probably say wrong place, wrong time, but he was in the right place at the right time. Doing the job he loved.

"That disgusting human was in the wrong place. I hear this saying all the time; 'it couldn't happen to a nicer man' well those worlds couldn't’ be more true in this instance.

"Chris was more of a man than the person who did this ever can dream to be. RIP Tigger mate."

Today Cheshire Police said Lee Abbott, 35, of no fixed abode but from the Widnes area, has been charged with the murder and will appear in court today.

(Image: Facebook)

A 39-year-old woman, arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

A day after the horrific killing , Cheshire Police confirmed that Mr Thornton had been in contact with officers prior to his death.

It is believed that he was so concerned for his own safety and the security of his pub that he reported it to the force.

After the killing Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of trade body the British Beer and Pub Association, said: "We condemn all acts of violence against pub staff and hope that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

"We have been in contact with the British Institute of Innkeeping and the Licensed Trade Charity to ensure that the pub staff receive all the support they need at this difficult time.

"Our sympathies, along with the rest of pub industry are with the family at this time. Circumstances such as these underline the importance of partnership working between police forces and organisations such as National Pubwatch and Best Bar None."