THE parents of a teenager who lost her battle with a rare genetic disease have paid tribute to their "brave warrior."

Ellie-Mae Morgan, 16, of Hartlepool, was diagnosed with an hereditary disorder, Huntingdon's Disease in February, 2012.

It is very rare the condition which attacks nerves in the brain. Ellie-Mae gradually lost her ability to walk and, by the end, her speech.

Her parents Sam and Richard Carter paid tribute to their daughter on Friday morning with a simple message.

It said: “Goodnight god bless Ellie-Mae Morgan, our brave warrior. You're free to walk again.”

Another message from her parents on Saturday said: "There are no words to describe the pain" and another showed a selection of photographs of Ellie-Mae throughout her life with a single word - perfection.

Ellie-Mae and her family have campaigned to raise awareness of Juvenile Huntington's Disease and last year Sam Carter, Ellie-Mae's mother, explained that the condition had passed down four generations of her family, affecting her father, her grandfather and great-grandmother.

Mrs Carter said Ellie-Mae started having behavioural and balance problems at the age of six and by the age of 13 had lost the ability to swim and ride a bicycle. By the time she was 15 the pupil of High Tunstall School, in Hartlepool, had to use a wheelchair.

"Everyone adores Ellie-Mae," Mrs Carter told The Northern Echo previously. "She is gorgeous and funny with a wicked sense of humour. She has a real love of life."

Since news broke of her death, dozens of tributes have been paid to the teenager online.

One from Michaela Hope read: "Such devastating news, but no more suffering for Ellie-Mae Morgan. Such a strong and beautiful girl."

Another from Becky Jeal read: "Ellie will always sparkle in our hearts. Such a courageous beautiful girl."

Mark Tilling, headteacher of High Tunstall High School, paid tribute on the school website under a picture of Ellie-Mae smiling in her school uniform.

He said: " Ellie-Mae has and always will be a part of the High Tunstall family. She was a brave and strong young lady, a true fighter who could light up any room."

In June Ellie-Mae met boyband One Direction at Wembley Stadium, jokingly proposing marriage to band member Liam Payne. Liam said 'yes' and joked he would hire Buckingham Palace for the occasion.