FAMILY and friends of a woman who lost her fight against cancer aged 29 have paid tribute to her determination and courage.

Leala Milleare, of Arnold Road, Clacton, had been in St Helena Hospice for a month when she died on Saturday, with her mum Jill and dad George at her bedside holding her hands.

Her brother Jamie said she had fought to the very end and was determined to celebrate her mum’s birthday last week.

He said: “She was a real fighter and never once complained. She just accepted everything.

“We just had a really nice family day in the hospice.”

Since Leala’s diagnosis with cervical cancer in May 2007, friends and family have raised thousands of pounds to take Leala abroad for alternative treatments and therapies.

Her best friend, Shelley Booth, said the fundraising would continue in Leala’s name and money would go to St Helena Hospice where Leala had received “absolutely fantastic care”.

She said Leala, who attended Clacton County High School and went on to work as a beauty therapist, a hairdresser and at the former Woolwich call centre, was known as a bubbly, outgoing young woman.

Miss Booth said Leala had been positive, saying she would find a cure throughout her illness.

She continued: “Over the last week, she did deteriorate but when she woke up, she was full of energy and was never sad.

“Her room was full of gifts and cards, teddies and charms.

“Even last week she had us laughing at her bedside.”

Leala’s funeral service is set to be held at St James Church in Clacton.