TEENAGER Harry Sadler has died after a battle with cancer.

The 17-year-old student at Colchester Sixth Form College had been very ill for some time after being diagnosed with olfactory neuroblastoma, a rare form of malignant tumour.

His twin brother Ben, paying tribute to Harry, posted a final message to him.

He said: “I remember when we were younger and we would talk about house sharing and getting a gaming room together and playing games together like we used to with Fable 2, although mum never approved of us playing games so much.

“It saddens me to think that we won’t be able to do that or even share our 18th birthday together when it’s so soon.

“Twins have a special bond that no one can break, it’s so easy to plan your life with someone since you’ve been with them from birth, although there were a brief two minutes where I had my freedom.

“It sucks that I’m not gonna be awoken by your loud footsteps at 3am going to the kitchen to get cereal.

“But most of all I’m glad you were in my life and you aren’t suffering anymore. I love you brother. RIP.”

Harry’s dad Ivan died after a cardiac arrest on Clacton seafront in 2014, aged just 46.

His family now have to try and cope with a second tragedy.

Harry, from Colchester, lived with mum Carol and his older brother and sister.

Carol said she would continue to support the Tom Bowdidge Foundation, which helped the family with a grant and continues to support many young cancer patients.

She also thanked the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Heath Business Park, Colchester, for its ongoing support.

It was May 2016 when Harry was found to have a tumour the size of a cricket ball growing in his head.

He had been suffering from horrific headaches for two months previously.

He had two operations soon after and was being treated at University College Hospital London.

There, he met the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson and daughters Eugenie and Beatrice, who were patrons of the Teenage Cancer Trust, last December.

At the time, Beatrice said: “His strength taught me so much. I learnt a huge lesson today from Harry.”

Thousands of pounds were raised by kind hearted Colcestrians to help his family, alongside the foundation.

Harry was being cared for on the same ward where Tom received treatment for the cancer that he died of in 2012.

Harry’s basketball team, Essex Blades, and his college friends, ran charity events for the much loved young man.

Despite his brave fight, Harry has died.

Social media has been flooded with tributes to the popular teenager.

A full tribute from his family will be appearing in the Gazette on Wednesday.