Brave youngster Vicky Daynes has lost her fight for life - just two days before celebrating her tenth birthday.

The young girl, from Silverdale Avenue in Riddle-sden, died in Airedale Hospital on Sunday after a five-year fight against Batten's Disease.

This week her mother Julie paid an emotional tribute to the girl who was an 'inspiration to everyone who met her'.

She says: "Vicky was a joy to have and such a big part of our lives, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

"She was so strong and was such a fighter that I think she gave inspiration to everyone who met her."

Vicky's grandmother Joan Daynes has also spoken fondly of the youngster who 'enriched all of our lives'.

She says: "Before the condition started she was like a normal little girl - running around and playing on climbing frames.

"We enjoyed every minute spent with Vicky and we all feel our lives have been enriched by knowing her.

"She was such a special girl and it was lovely to be around her, but also heartbreaking at times, especially when she was losing her sight.

"Everyone in the community was so good to her and she couldn't have had more devoted parents.

"The staff at Airedale Hospital have been absolutely brilliant and there was always a warm welcome for Vicky."

A pupil at Crossflatts First School and then Branshaw Special School, Vicky was diagnosed with the incurable Batten's Disease in 1994.

Julie and husband Robert feared that their son Jordan, now six, would also have the disease, but thankfully tests proved otherwise.

After her plight was highlighted in the Keighley News, kind-hearted local people rallied around to raise cash in a bid to send her on a dream holiday to Disney World in Florida.

Staff at Magnet, where Robert works, organised a series of fundraising events to raise cash for the youngster.

And with contributions from Keighley Cougars , local pubs and sports clubs, the youngster had her dream fulfilled.

Julie adds: "She had such a good time when she went to Disney World and it was great for all of us because it helped us get over the initial shock of her diagnosis.

"Another thing I would like to say is that if she hadn't have had this condition we wouldn't have met so many nice people."

The funeral service will take place at 11am today in Riddlesden United Reformed Church, with interment afterwards at Utley.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.