A FAMILY have paid tribute to their son who died after a decade-long battle against cancer.

Sam Cowell, aged 20, from Blackrod, was told 10 years ago that he would be dead within six months.

But the former pupil of St Joseph's High School, Horwich, pupil defied all the odds to live a normal life until he died two weeks ago.

"He was an inspiration," said his mum Margaret, aged 49.

"To him, cancer was an inconvenience. He had six-monthly check ups at Christie's in Manchester, but he put the illness to the back of his mind and lived a full, fun life. Lots of his friends didn't even know he had cancer, he wouldn't let it get in the way."

Sam was diagnosed with soft tissue cancer after a tumour developed on his arm in 1995.

Doctors were so sure he would die, a dream holiday to Disney World in Florida was arranged for him.

Mrs Cowell said his positive attitude helped him live to enjoy more holidays in Devon, Spain, Corfu, Kefalonia, Ibiza, New York and Munich. Radiotherapy kept his illness at bay until early this month when the cancer spread. Sam, who also attended Our Lady's Primary School in Aspull, was described as "the life and soul of the party" by his sister Nicola, aged 22.

She said: "He was full of fun and had a crazy side which could keep people amused and happy. He loved music and socialising. He had a really good voice and enjoyed karaoke.

"His favourites were Ronan Keating's When You Say Nothing At All and Hotel California by the Eagles. We played them both at his funeral, which was attended by scores of people."

An ardent fan of Preston North End FC, Sam who lived with his mum, dad Harry, Nicola and brother Chris, aged 16, in Lymbridge Drive, Blackrod - was buried in Chris's football shirt and scarf. A Preston North End flag covered his coffin.

After gaining a GNVQ in leisure and tourism, Sam worked in the pub industry where he became trainee assistant manager at the Farmers Arms in Whitestake, Preston. His boss Richard Hibbert said: "He'd worked here for 18 months and had previously done a year at another restaurant. He was totally dependable.

"He was in charge of teams of up to 45 people and he was only 18 months older than most of them. He was loved and respected by the staff. Nobody will ever fill his boots."

Sam also leaves a brother Matthew, aged 23, and Mrs Cowell said Matthew's girlfriend, Sarah Brooke, "was like a sister to Sam." The couple live in Westhoughton.