The family of a mother-of-three who has died after a battle with cancer has paid tribute to a “beautiful young woman”.

Laura Woods-Thomas, from Queenborough, found a lump on her stomach five weeks after she gave birth to her youngest daughter Libbie on May 5 last year.

A month later, the 31-year-old was told she had stage four bowel cancer.

She underwent bouts of chemotherapy and in January sister Kerry started a fundraising campaign to raise money for the immunotherapy Laura needed, a treatment which helps the body fight cancer, costing £120,000.

Her partner of five years, Ashley Thomas, said Laura’s death had been devastating for the family.

He said: “Laura was a devoted mother, a beautiful young woman and she has brought so much happiness into the world.

“She was the love of my life, my rock, my best friend and she made me the happiest man on earth.

“I can only say thank you to Laura for all the memories she’s given me and our beautiful children. I’m so lucky to have met such an amazing person.

“Words will never come close to describing how I feel about her.”

Sister Kerry, 29, said Laura was the best sister anyone could wish for.

“I am the luckiest girl in the world to have had Laura as a sister and best friend, and the best auntie to my children,” she said.

“Laura was a devoted mother, a beautiful young woman and she has brought so much happiness into the world" - Ashley Thomas

Laura’s mother Wendy added: “Laura was my first born. I watched, over the years, as she grew into a beautiful young woman.

“Thank you for every day of the past 31 years and for my grandchildren. I will cherish them for you my beautiful daughter. I will keep you in my heart forever.”

Laura, who lost her father Alan to bowel cancer in July 2013, died on Saturday.

She leaves behind daughters Lacey, nine, Phoebe, two, and eight-month-old Libbie.

Laura’s family, who clubbed together to raise £60,000 for her treatment, has raised more than £7,000 for the other half of the target after setting up the online fundraising appeal. They have decided the additional money will be given to Laura’s children.

Her funeral will take place at All Saints Church in Eastchurch on Friday, March 24 at noon, followed by a 2pm committal at the Garden of England Crematorium in Bobbing.

All enquiries can be directed to William Whitmey Independent Funeral Directors at 122a Chalkwell Road, Sittingbourne or call 01795 227020.