A COLNE newsagent has paid tribute to his "inspirational" daughter after she lost her battle with cancer.

Sarah Heyworth, 16, died in Derian House Children's Hospice, Chorley, last month, four years after she was first diagnosed with cancer in her shin.

She had had her left leg amputated and had learned to walk with an artificial limb before being told that the cancer had spread to her lungs.

Her father Steven Heyworth, who runs a newsagents in Skipton Road, Colne, ran the Great North Run twice as part of a fund-raising drive which raised £14,000 to buy Sarah a sports limb to enable her to get about comfortably.

Sarah's mum Linda Gallagher, of Chorley, also raised cash for the appeal, which was supported by people across Pendle.

Steven said: "Sarah was my inspiration. She had a long battle with the cancer and she was always smiling and never let it get her down.

"After she had her leg amputated we were told everything was going to be all right, but then 18 months ago we found out she had cancer in her lungs.

"We had a party for her 16th birthday last November, but shortly after that she went into the hospice.

"She had read the Bible a lot and become closer to God, which is something I find inspiring.

"She was a great fighter who never had a bad word for anyone and who would always say she was fine.

"Sarah was an inspiration to everyone."

As well as raising money for Sarah's new limb, the family also donated money to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, where she was treated.

Sarah was a pupil at Parklands High School, Chorley.