THE grandfather of a teenager who lost his long battle with a rare form of cancer has paid tribute to his “hero” grandson.

Charlie Hilton, 16, from Southwick, died in the early hours of Wednesday morning last week from a rare cancer.

The brave youngster managed to beat the disease called 'desmoplastic small round cell tumour' twice before it returned for a third time last year.

Charlie's grandfather David said life had been "hell" since his beloved grandson passed away last week.

He said: "It returned for a third time and there was nothing more that could be done for him. He's been fighting it for three years and it was expected, but like everything you hope and hope it will go away. It's been hell since he has been gone.

"He's been fighting it all the way. Initially he had extensive chemo, a major operation and radiotherapy and he went into remission for about six months. But unfortunately it came back. He fought and fought to get on top of it. He's my hero. He was a brilliant lad."

Last year The Argus reported on Charlie's dream of visiting Italy. His condition meant travel was problematic and very expensive because of the need for appropriate insurance, means of travel and medical care.

But generous friends and family raised £10,000 to help send Charlie, mother Lynda, grandfather David and grandmother Pam on the dream trip.

David said: "Everyone rallied around and made his dream come true. It was amazing and I'm so thankful for everyone's support.

"I will miss him. He was well-mannered, caring and loving. He thought of other people before himself - even in illness.

"If I spoke to him on the phone, he'd always make sure he was positive - even if his mum would later tell me he'd had a bad day. He never wanted to upset me."

The Shoreham Academy pupil's funeral will be held at St Michael and All Angels Church in Southwick at 12pm tomorrow (Thursday).

David added: "It's an open invite. There are literally hundreds who have supported us through his battle and we want to say thank you to them."