A keen sportsman who loved soccer and walking the fells has lost his battle with cancer.

James Fisher, 25, of Denholme, died only a month after climbing the Three Peaks.

He was a first team member of Oxenhope football club and part of the team that won the Northern Plant Hire Trophy in May.

James was diagnosed with liver cancer two years ago. He was understood to have made a recovery after surgery and chemotherapy.

Then, two weeks ago, he relapsed. He died in St James's Hospital, Leeds on August 4.

James was a kitchen designer at builders merchants Merritt & Fryers in Skipton, where he had worked since serving his apprenticeship as a joiner.

Staff at the company were today still shocked and distressed by his death, describing him as "one of the best".

His boss, Michael Donald, said: "He was brilliant. He could communicate with anybody at all levels. He was a lovely person to work with and full of fun. You only had to meet him once and you took to him."

He said James was diagnosed with liver cancer two years ago and after treatment seemed in good health.

A month ago James had climbed the Three Peaks and was training to take part in the London Marathon.

Friend and work colleague Maxine Roberts of Skipton said company directors and colleagues and friends from work would be attending the funeral at St John's Church, Cullingworth tomorrow.

"James was a very special person. He was remarkable - there was nobody like him. We are all missing him badly," she said.

She said James's girlfriend, Victoria Wadsworth, was a student at Leeds University studying speech therapy.

Clifford Coates, secretary of Oxenhope FC, said James had got back in the first team, playing as a midfielder, after his illness.

"He had a wonderful personality. He was very likeable and was a valued member of the club. People like James are few and far between."

One of the last things he did for the club was to organise the prize-giving event, which he took on with enthusiasm.

James leaves his father, Peter, and mother, Sylvia, and three sisters, Gillian, Rachael and Amy.

The family is urging people to give donations in James's memory to the Liver Unit Rays of Hope Appeal at St James's Hospital or Oxenhope Football Club.