Heartbroken staff at a Kent college have paid tribute to an “extraordinary and inspirational” student who lost her battle with cancer on her 20th birthday this week.

Emily Mackay, of Ladyfields, Broomfield, died early on Tuesday after being diagnosed with a rare form of the disease in 2013.

Now leaders at East Kent College have paid tribute to the trainee chef, who enrolled on a professional cookery course at the college’s Broadstairs campus before her diagnosis.

Principal Graham Razey said: “The whole college community has been truly saddened by the loss of this bright, bubbly, happy and inspirational young woman.

“Emily was genuinely heroic in her fight against this terrible disease, never relenting, and continuing to play an extraordinary role at the college.

“It is nothing more than cruel and unfair that Emily has been taken from her family and friends, and from those who loved her within this college.”

Emily – who died at her family home on the morning of her birthday – underwent various rounds of chemotherapy following her diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer, but was told in March that experts could no longer treat it.

Mr Razey added: “Despite battling cancer, she continued her studies, she raised money for the Teenage Cancer Trust having been made an ambassador to the charity, and she lived a truly full life.

“There was deep love for Emily as a member of our college family – she showed amazing fortitude, courage and strength in all that she did.

“There was deep love for Emily as a member of our college family – she showed amazing fortitude, courage and strength in all that she did..." - Graham Razey

“She approached everything in a positive way, which few would have had the fortitude to do in her situation, and she kept working, kept learning and kept fighting despite all of the difficulties.”

Emily, who spent her early years in Cyprus before moving back to Kent, gained 15 GCSEs at the Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham.

She did not let her diagnosis stop her from working and had a summer job at the Table Table restaurant in Broomfield, before working at The Sugar Boy sweet shop in Whitstable’s Harbour Street last year.

A keen netball player, Emily was part of the Canterbury Academy of Netball for a number of years and returned to work there as a coach after her diagnosis.

In May 2014, East Kent College held a fundraising dinner in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, which supported Emily, whose ashes will be scattered in Cyprus.

The event, which is now in its third year, has raised £15,000 and Emily’s parents intend to carry on organising the dinner.

Mr Razey said: “We will truly miss Emily, and will continue to hold the annual fundraising dinner in her honour.

“I was lucky enough to chat to her on a number of occasions, and will never forget the impact that she made across our college.

“She brought together a range of people with her amazing fundraising dinners, always injecting such positivity into proceedings that it was impossible not be inspired by her.”

Emily’s funeral will be held at Barham Crematorium on Monday, July 4 at 1.20pm.

All are welcome and the family has requested no black and family flowers only, with donations to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Donations can be made through Beltinge and District Funeral Service Ltd, 132 Reculver Road, Beltinge, Herne Bay, CT6 6PL. Call 01227 363300 for details.