TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘very popular’ 33-year-old after he lost a long battle with a brain tumour.

Shaun Whitehead passed away at the East Lancashire Hospice, four and-a-half years after being diagnosed.

Mr Whitehead, of Petrie Wood Close, in Langho, leaves behind mum and dad Elaine and Stuart, brother Tristan, sister-in-law Natalie, and nephew Ethan, as well as grandmothers Kathleen and Nora.

Mum Elaine said: “He was very much a family man, but he also loved a good night out.

Shaun was very generous as well, and would help anyone with anything.

“He always had a beautiful girl on his arm.

“He was a bit of a ladies’ man.”

A keen cyclist, Mr Whitehead was a member of the North Lancashire Road Club, and worked at Ewood Bikes when he became too ill to continue as a dry liner.

It was while riding that the first signs of Mr Whitehead’s condition appeared in late 2008.

Dad Stuart said: “He always wanted to remain positive and never accepted any time frame.

“He was never miserable.

“He always put on a brave face for the family.”

Mr Whitehead spent the last two weeks of his life at East Lancashire Hospice.

Brother Tristan said: “He adored my son Ethan and was a great uncle.”

Mr Whitehead was born in Blackburn and lived with his parents in Rose Hill Terrace, Darwen, before they moved to Hoddlesden .

He was a pupil at St Paul’s Primary School, Hoddlesden, and Darwen Vale High School.

His funeral is on Thursday at Pleasington Crematorium from 11.30am and the family have requested family flowers only.

Donations can be made to East Lancashire Hospice in memory of Shaun.