Andrew's family say he was finally getting to where he wanted to get in life, and paid tribute to his drive and ambition.

His mother, Marilyn, says his life at university in London suited him to a tee.

She says: "He was having the time of his life really."

Sister Tracey adds that London was the perfect place for someone with so much energy and appetite for success.

Andrew left Oakbank School at the age of 16 and, in his father's own words, did nothing academic until the age of 25.

Andrew's sisters reel off the list of places he worked after leaving school, which included Conways Toyshop in Keighley, Motorworld in Ilkley and Keighley and also as a Haworth postman.

"He was well-known in Keighley" says Tracey. "He worked in the Bridge pub in Stockbridge and was best known for working there."

It was Andrew's hard work that enabled him to buy his Nissan 280 ZX, a sports car which his mother described as his pride and joy.

"He did it all up and loved it. The shades, the music blaring, the roof off, the lot."

At the age of 25 Andrew took an access course at Leeds College of Technology to enable him to get to university.

Father, Ron, says: "It took some doing, especially for someone who didn't really like school."

Lynette adds: "Whatever he did he did well."

In September of last year Andrew started his degree course at university in London and according to his tutors was top of his group. A letter sent to the family confirms he was on target for a first class degree.

Andrew's mother recalls: "He loved London and he'd ring up and say I've done so and so. He was a home loving lad really.

"He used to say 'When I've got my money I'll see my mum and dad right.' He was determined to succeed."

As Andrew's illness took hold his family fought to maintain as normal a lifestyle as possible.

Marilyn says: "The overall thing we tried to do was to carry on life as normal. Life had to go on as it had always done. We laughed, we talked, we planned things. We told him he was going back to university next year when he was better."

The family are convinced this way of life would have been impossible without the support they received from the hospital and support network.

Marilyn says: "As the condition deteriorated they did everything we needed and came out to us. We couldn't have asked for better support and help than we have had and from our local doctor and nurses. We have had so much support, I can't emphasise that enough."

Lynette adds: "Everybody who has been involved has been absolutely fantastic."

Ron points out: "We have been lucky in that Airedale hospital picked up on it so quickly."

Andrew carried a donor card and his mother says he would have been pleased that, as his organs cannot be used, that his brain would be used to further research into nvCJD.

"That was the type of person he was" she says.

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