Hundreds have paid tribute to a ‘brilliant brother’ and ‘fantastic friend’ who lost his battle with cancer, aged just 28.

Clint Houlahan, of Griffin Close, Huncoat passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, February 4.

The former St Christopher’s CE High School pupil had been battling a very rare form of lung cancer since 2011 and in July last year he was given just 12 months to live.

His sister Zhara, 26, of Within Grove, Huncoat said that she and her family have been overwhelmed by the messages of support from the community.

The mum of one added that the family were expecting around 200 people to attend Clint’s funeral on Thursday, February 12.

Zhara said: “Clint was such a well known and loved man, we have had so many messages of support.

“On my Facebook page a lot of my friends have changed their profile picture to Clint to pay tribute, it has been lovely.”

Clint, who worked as a salesman and a joiner, was diagnosed with Epithelioid sarcoma in 2011.

Despite having an operation to remove a tumour and going into remission, Clint went back into hospital at the end of May last year with an infection and slipped into a coma.

Zhara said: “It was awful, we thought he had got through it but then he was put on life support in June.

“I think that time will always stick with me, we were told by doctors that he was probably not going to make it and then he surprised everyone by getting back up and home.

“It was hard watching him deteriorate after Christmas, but he remained independent even until the day he passed away.

“He was up making a drink for himself on the morning he died.

“He was a brilliant brother and was always there when I needed him.

Zhara said that Clint’s son two-year-old Oliver and step son Curtis, six, were being supported by the family.