A young cancer patient who fronted a controversial advertising campaign saying “I wish I had breast cancer” has died.

Tributes have been paid to Kerry Harvey, 24, who was a nurse on a cancer ward at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester before she fell ill with pancreatic cancer who died on Saturday.

Kerry, from Bognor, married her carer and fiance Matthew Biggin just three days before she died.

Matthew said: “It is with deep sorrow & regret that I must inform you that our beloved Kerry slipped away, passing peacefully in her sleep. Obviously we are devastated .

“I felt that as this incredible woman has done such amazing works & touched so many lives people deserved to know and to honour her memory .”

Kerry hit the headlines fronting a campaign for the charity Pancreatic Cancer Action.

She suffered online abuse and death threats on Twitter after being pictured on billboards saying “I wish I had breast cancer.”

She had hoped the campaign would highlight the low chance of survival for patients with pancreatic cancer.

In a statement, the charity said: “Kerry was a brave and courageous young woman who touched so many hearts. Since her diagnosis in April 2013, she devoted a significant amount of time to raising awareness of pancreatic cancer.

“She has campaigned with selfless vigour and, despite being very ill, has faced criticism for her contribution to our most recent awareness campaign. Her strength and fortitude we and other pancreatic cancer sufferers everywhere, their families and friends are very grateful for."