TRIBUTES continue to pour in for a Darlington teenager who died after a brave battle with cancer.

Kieran Maxwell, from Heighington, near Darlington, lost his left leg to cancer after being diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma – a rare form of bone cancer – in October 2010.

After beating the disease twice, a chest x-ray during a routine check-up in October last year revealed that the teenager’s cancer had returned and spread around his heart and lung.

But sadly, Kieran lost his fight with cancer and died peacefully in his sleep on Friday.

Kieran's mother said on Facebook on Friday:

"This is Kieran's mam and its with a heavy heart that I write this post.

"As you know this page has been very quiet the past couple of weeks. This was due to Kieran not being very well.

"Things changed for him a couple of days ago and we had to get a morphine pump fitted. This got Kieran very comfortable and we were planning to take him to the cinema to see the new Transformers film tomorrow.

"Unfortunately today Kieran at 5.26am gained his wings. He passed peaceful in his sleep.

"We are going to be continuing Kieran's wish of providing research into Ewing's Sarcoma through his charity http://www.cclg.org.uk/KieranMaxwellLegacy

"I want to thank you all for the support you gave my boy while he was alive."

Some of the UK's most successful Paralympians have paid their respects to the teenager.

Cramlington-born Paralympian Stephen Miller, who won three gold medals between 1996 and 2004, tweeted: “Very sad to hear that Kieran Maxwell passed away today.

“Very brave young man and gone far too soon - his short life should be an inspiration.”

Richard Whitehead, who won gold at both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics, also tweeted: “We are all devastated by young Kieran Maxwell’s passing. If only we all had his bravery.”

Amy Tinkler, bronze medallist at last year’s Rio Olympics, joined Kieran for a carol service last year – organised so the teenager could enjoy a festive season to remember after learning he had suffered a devastating relapse.

She tweeted: “Had an amazing night for Kieran's carol service, what an inspiration.

"Honoured to be part of it. My love goes out to everyone around you.”

Gerald Lee, councillor for the Heighington & Coniscliffe Ward, said: "Village residents and thousands of people throughout the country will mourn the passing of Kieran.

"He was an extremely brave and courageous young man blessed with an in dominatable ‘can do’ spirit that saw him through his darkest days and lifted his spirits to such a height that he set himself great ambitions throughout his short but wonderful life.

"Despite the pain, anxiety and fear that he must have endured none was evident to people he met.

"Kieran will be missed but he will be remembered for years to come by future village generations for his positive approach to life, his cheery disposition against all the odds stacked against him and for his strength."

"Our thoughts and prayers are also with his Father Alastair, his mother Nicola and his lovely little sister Alyssa who have given so much support to Kieran over his years of suffering.

Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield which covers Kieran’s home address, said: “I am really sad to hear Kieran Maxwell passed away last night.

“My thoughts are with his family and friends. He was a brave and inspirational young man.

 “I will do everything I can to help with research and we need to work to make sure his legacy lives on.”

Helena Bowman, head of MFC Foundation, described the teenager as a "charming and brave young man".

"On behalf of MFC Foundation, we would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the family of Kieran Maxwell.

"Kieran was a charming and brave young man, which we experienced first hand when we presented him with a signed Middlesbrough shirt for his cause a few months ago.

"He was truly an inspiration to us all."