A "MIRACLE mum" from Earby who once beat cancer has died after losing a second battle with the disease.

Michelle Morley, 46, a landlady at the Punch Bowl pub on Skipton Road, Earby, passed away at Pendleside Hospice on January 9.

Mrs Morley, a passionate fundraiser for Barnoldswick and Earby Bosom Friends, was orignally diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1988 when she was pregnant with her first child, Stephen, 26.

She went on to beat the disease and became a "miracle mum", giving birth to two girls, Jasmine, 14, and Georgia, 11, despite having her cervix removed.

In an interview with the Craven Herald in November 2013, she said: "Technically I shouldn't have had my two girls. When I told my doctor I was pregnant, he was gobsmacked. They're two miracle girls, in my opinion."

However, she faced another battle with the disease when she was diagnosed with bladder cancer last May, just a month before her marriage to Paul Morley in June.

Mr Morley said the diagnosis "came as a shock" to the couple, but he praised his wife for bravely fighting the agressive cancer.

He also spoke about how positive she was and her enjoyment of "having a good laugh" with Punch Bowl customers, who have passed on their heartfelt message of support to Mr Morley, who is also a landlord there.

"Michelle was a happy go lucky and smily person who was a joy to be around," said Mr Morley. "I will miss her smile, her company and how jolly she was."

Mrs Morley had run the Punch Bowl since 2007, and Mr Morley joined her in 2011.

The couple enjoyed sharing a rare meal out and were members of the Pendle Land Rover Club, where they took part in trials once a month.

"Being a landlady meant there wasn't much time to do anything," said Mr Morley. "Sunday was our day off together."

Mrs Morley was raised and spent most of her life in Earby. She attended Earby Springfield Primary School and later was a pupil at West Craven High School.

She is survived by her husband Paul, two daughters, Jasmine and Georgia, son Stephen, and stepdaughter Nikki Morley.

A funeral service will be held at All Saints Parish Church in Earby at 1.30pm on Tuesday (Jan 27).

A private family burial will follow and a wake will be held at Rolls-Royce Leisure Club in Barnoldswick.