A HEARTBROKEN husband has spoken of his grief after losing his wife of just three months to cervical cancer - and of his pride in the "relentlessly positive" way she had lived with the disease.

Rebecca Greaves, 26, died on Sunday after a two-year battle.

Her husband Ashley Greaves, 25, said: "The whole family and myself are obviously devastated and struggling to come to terms with the loss of Rebecca. We are torn to bits. But at the same time we are all so proud of her - she was so positive and such a fighter.

"Everyone was full of admiration for her. It was so typical of her that as soon as she was diagnosed she was thinking of how she could help others to combat cancer."

Following her diagnosis Rebecca, who worked as front-of-house manager at the Rendezvous Hotel in Snaygill, raised cash to fight cancer by having her hair shaved off. In total, she helped to raise about £12,000 for cancer charities.

She was also prominent in a campaign calling on the Government to introduce smear tests for women aged 22 to 25. Smear tests were only available for women over 25 and HPV vaccinations were available for girls aged 13 to 22. She set up her own e-petition last year to back the campaign.

At the time, Rebecca said: "I was one of these women in the middle. I propose that the government give women between the ages of 22 and 25 the opportunity to have a smear test to prevent anyone else being in the same position as myself."

Rebecca, of Sharphaw Avenue, Skipton, had worked at the Rendezvous for several years after graduating from Craven College with a degree in hospitality management, and her colleagues had helped her greatly in her anti-cancer campaign. Ashley said it had been Rebecca's fervent wish that every young woman should have a smear test and to take potential health problems seriously.

Ashley, who is rugby development officer at Skipton Rugby Club, said; "Friends and colleagues were always more than happy to help, which shows what a truly positive person she was. I think everyone was astonished at just how brave she was, bless her. She gave absolutely everything and was always thinking of others first."

Rendezvous general manager Amanda Casey said: "Bex was a treasured colleague and friend to everyone at the hotel. It's hard to believe that we will not hear her laughter again. Our hearts go out to Ash and all her family."

As well as Ashley, Rebecca leaves her mother, Skipton town councillor Karen McIntyre, siblings Daniel, Cherice, Lucy and Izzobelle, stepfather Allan McIntyre, and father Paul Lawrence.

A funeral service will be at Christ Church, Skipton, on Wednesday at 1pm, followed by a short family-only service at Waltonwrays crematorium. Mourners will then gather at the Rendezvous Hotel at 2.30pm. The family has requested no bouquets, but would like mourners to take a single flower with a message to the church. Donations will go to charities Bosom Friends and Petal.