A SHED which has been converted into a bar in memory of a man of lung cancer victim has been opened by Saints legend Francis Benali.

Friends and relatives of Owen Jones have converted his garden shed into a mini pub a year after he died from cancer.

Owen’s family are backing Benali’s campaign to raise more than £1 million for Cancer Research UK.

Following the opening ceremony the new bar - OJ’s - hosted a fundraising event in aid of Benali’s chosen charity and HASAG, a group that supports people suffering from asbestos-related diseases.

Owen and his wife Sue ran the Fox and Hound pub in Bitterne for five years.

After Owen died Sue decided to celebrate his life by converting his shed into a bar and embarked on the project earlier this year.

She said: “My son works away as a professional dancer with Lord of the Dance but every time he came home we did more work in the bar.

“Many of our family and friends also got involved, doing the jobs we couldn’t.

“I’m sure that if Owen could see the end result he’d be very proud of what we have achieved.”

As reported in the Daily Echo, Owen, 61, of West End, died just weeks before his daughter Serina’s wedding.

After feeling unwell at a dinner party he went to have a lie-down and was found dead the following morning.

His wedding speech was read out by the best man, Terry Settle.

Two years earlier the pair cheered Benali during his first fundraising campaign, which involved visiting all 20 Premier League stadiums.

They were standing outside St James’ Church in West End when the former defender paused to shake hands with Owen.