A father has paid tribute to his brave and loving daughter who has died at the age of 34.

Julia Bryans "brought cheer and love into the lives of all who knew her" despite coping with diabetes since the age of four.

The former Stanway School, Colchester, pupil travelled Europe and worked in Gibraltar before settling in Bergholt Road, Colchester.

Her father, Derek Booth, said his daughter's birth was a miracle in itself due to severe complications suffered by her mother during pregnancy.

Julia went on to cope with the loss of a baby, blindness and a toe amputation all bought on by her diabetes.

She who was born in Great Baddow and grew up in West Bergholt and died at her home due to complications from the illness.

Mr Booth, of Meadow Close, Great Bromley, said: "She was a very brave, plucky girl. "

She was very close to her brother Graeme, 32, a carpenter from West Bergholt.

Julia went to Endsleigh Annexe of Colchester Institute where she met her first husband, Larry Becker.

She lost a baby due to complications from her diabetes and the couple parted after a year of marriage.

Julia and her close friend Coralie Raynor, of Manningtree, spent a couple of years working in Gibraltar and also travelled Europe for six months.

Her second marriage to David Bryans, a lay preacher at Elim Pentecostal Church in Greenstead, Colchester, ended after five years.

Julia, who worked at Eastern Software at the Cowdray Business Centre, had been with her partner, Malcolm Taylor, for about a year.

Her funeral is on Monday at West Bergholt Methodist Chapel at 1.45pm followed by cremation at Colchester Crematorium.

Donations to the British Diabetic Association can be sent to Mr Booth at 11 Meadow Close, Great Bromley, Colchester, CO7 7UG.

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