Hundreds of people have gathered to say their final farewells to an inspirational student.

Family and friends of Nick Dean said they wanted his funeral at Vinters Park Crematorium, in Maidstone, yesterday to be a celebration of his short but full life.

The 28-year-old, from Larkfield, was found unconscious at his home in New Hythe Lane on Saturday, February 15, after an undetected tumour caused him to suffer a stroke.

The former Maplesden Noakes pupil died the next day at King's College Hospital in London.

Nick, who worked as a lifeguard at Larkfield Leisure Centre for 11 years, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia when he was seven.

He underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy and his parents thought he had beaten the illness, but he relapsed aged 13 and again at 15.

The last setback left him needing an urgent bone marrow transplant.

A 41-year-old donor from Ohio, America, proved to be a match and gave Nick 11 more years to live his life to full.

Nick, who refused to let his condition control his life, had started to feel unwell again in December and was due to have a MRI scan two days after he died.

His family were given some comfort when doctors told them the undetected tumour was inoperable.

Mother Annie said her only son would often say he would take his bike over the Grand Canyon rather than go through treatment again.