GLASSES will be raised in honour of the late landlord of a popular city centre pub on his 40th birthday.

Family and friends will be marking Alex Pope's 40th birthday today (Tuesday) following the death of the popular landlord of The Paul Pry pub.

Mr Pope died suddenly on January 13 at the age of 39 with hundreds of people paying tribute to him and mourners packing out Worcester Cathedral for his funeral on Monday, February 19.

In a statement, a pub spokesperson said: "Today marks an extremely special day. Today you turn 40 years old.

"40 years of being a son, a brother and an incredible friend to many.

"You are the driving force behind the Paul Pry, Popes Brewing company and you have always been able to make a success out of whatever you put your mind to.

"So here’s to you Alex, happy birthday, we all love you so much and there isn’t a day that goes by where we don’t think about you or talk about one of the many wonderful memories we are lucky to share with you.

"Although you aren’t here with us in the way we want you to be, we will be raising a glass to you tonight with your family, and all the friends you love to remember you in the most special way we can.

"Happy birthday Chef."

There was an outpouring of sadness after Mr Pope's death with scores of people lining the street outside the Paul Pry to pay their respects as the funeral procession made its way to Worcester Cathedral.

A touching tribute was read out by Mr Pope's three brothers, Tom, Jack and Edward, which said that to many, they were known as 'Alex's brothers' and wore the title as a "medal of honour worn with pride due to what he did with the time he had".

Mr Pope and his family have run the Paul Pry since 2017 and bought the pub in 2022, declaring on a plaque it was now “officially our home”.

The 200-year-old pub, which is a Grade II listed building, has gone from strength to strength with Mr Pope at the helm.