THE mother of a Burnley father-of-four who lost his brave battle against cancer at 34 today paid tribute to her son.

Christopher Ashworth died last Tuesday at his Pink Street home with his wife by his side after pleading to be taken home from Burnley and Pendle Hospice.

He was diagnosed with skin cancer five-years-ago and was in remission when it reappeared last May. While in the hospice two-weeks-ago Mr Ashworth was told the cancer had taken over his body.

Mr Ashworth's mother, Betty, 63, said Christopher was a popular man and would be sadly missed. She added: "He was wonderful. I could not have wished for a better son. We were very close.

"There is going to be quite a few people at the service. He was a much loved person and was loved by everyone."

His wife Sharon said Mr Ashworth was 'her rock'. She said: "He was very brave, you couldn't be any braver then what he went through. He was a rock to me and I don't know how I'm going to cope.

"It's going to be difficult but he would have wanted me to carry on for the kids. He lived for his kids."

The former Ivy Bank High School pupil was a keen Clarets fan and a former member of Burnley Scooter Club. Mr Ashworth had four children, Shane, 14, Lee 13, three-year-old Leona and 18-month-old Katrina.

His favourite song, Never Gonna Leave Your Side by Daniel Bedingfield, and One Step Beyond by Madness, his favourite group, will be played at his funeral service today at Burnley Crematorium.