A family have paid tribute to a "selfless and inspirational" mother who has died at the age of 42.

Melissa Crampton, from Radlett, passed away after being diagnosed with breast cancer around seven-and-a-half years ago.

Mrs Crampton will be missed by her husband Joe, children Jorja, Kai, Brooke, and Cady, and the rest of her family and friends, her mother-in-law Jennie James says.

Ms James said: "It is with the saddest and heaviest of hearts that I have to report that our courageous Melissa Crampton lost her seven and a half year battle with breast cancer and died at the age of 42 at the end of November.

"Everyone who knew Melissa knows what an inspiration she was to us all. She was so selfless, kind and caring and was the most amazing wife to her husband Joe and fantastic mother to her four young beautiful children."

In July 2019, Mrs Crampton was told she only had three months to live but she found a clinic in Germany that would be able to give her specialist cell treatment that is not available in the UK, that could at the very least extend her life.

The treatment cost tens of thousands of pounds but her friends rallied to support he by setting up a GoFundMe page which raised around £52,000.

Ms James said: "The cost of Melissa’s treatment came to over £80,000. Without the generous donations of family, friends and the whole community Melissa would never have been able to have the treatment that possibly helped her to have two more years with her children and Joe.

"Her husband Joe fought that fight alongside with her doing everything he could to help save her life including driving her the 1,020 mile round trip to the clinic in Germany for her appointments.

"The family will always be grateful for the generosity that was shown by everyone that gave Melissa that extra time with her children."

She added: "She was an inspiration and support to others going through cancer. She was seen as a warrior as she never gave up hope, she lived for her children and her husband Joe and she will be remembered by so many people."