A Barrowford woman with terminal brain cancer has died aged 23.

Laura Nuttall has been battling a highly invasive type of brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme since 2018, and since has been completing a bucket list which included graduating from university, meeting the Lionesses, and taking to the stage with comedian Peter Kay.

Her mum, Nicola, made the sad announcement earlier today (May 22) and said Laura was “fierce and tenacious” until the end.

In a statement her mum said: “I'm heartbroken to share the news that we lost our beautiful Laura in the early hours of this morning.

“She was fierce and tenacious to the end.

“It was truly the honour of my life to be her mum. We are devastated at the thought of life without our girl, she was a force of nature.”

Laura’s health had been deteriorating over the last week and Nicola said she had not been able to drink or eat for several days.

In a Tweet on Sunday night (May 21) Nicola said: “[I am] settling down for another night beside Laura’s bed, waking at every whimper and not knowing if she’ll still be with us in the morning.

“It’s been 11 days now without food or water and every day we think she can’t get any more poorly, but she does. This is so brutal.

“It’s so hard to watch my lovely bright girl fade away completely. She still breathes but even the hand squeeze has gone now.

“Her life force is so strong but this is unbearable to watch. I’m scared that all my happy memories have been replaced by the trauma of the last few weeks.”

Since the sad announcement, tributes have been pouring in for the inspirational woman. 

Pendle MP, Andrew Stephenson, said: "I feel so very grateful to have got to know Laura.

"She did work experience in both my Nelson and Westminster offices shortly before she went off to university [before her diagnosis]. 

"It is typical of Laura that she responded to what could, and for most of us would, have been the most devastating news imaginable by dedicating herself to raising awareness of brain tumours, and to achieving as much as she could in what time she had.

"It has been inspiring beyond words to see the support of her family as Laura fought the tumour for five long, hard years.

"Laura fought so well to have that time and to make the most brilliant use of it. I was so, so proud of her when she did graduate with a 2:1 from the University of Manchester. She was planning to do a master's degree next.

"Laura has done a huge amount to draw attention to brain tumours and research into them.

"To Laura, you will be deeply missed by so many people including me and my team.

"Thank you for never giving up and inspiring so many people in how you lived."

Actress Diane Morgan said: "I’m so sorry. I feel like I got to know her a little bit through your posts.

"She was an amazing person. I could see that. And she couldn’t have had more loving parents. Sending you tonnes of love and support."

Laura was told she only had a year to live when she received her diagnosis in 2018.

In March Nicola and her mum travelled to Germany for a course of electro-hyperthermia, which they hoped would extend her life.

Laura underwent her fourth round of treatment last October and the family decided to bring Christmas forward as they didn’t think she would make it to the end of December.

Since her diagnosis Laura has been ticking items off her ‘bucket list’.

Last year she met Lioness legend Chloe Kelly and was given tickets to the Manchester Women’s Derby.

She also fulfilled her wish to operate a crane and became a firefighter for the day.

Comedian Peter Kay also hosted live comedy shows in honour of Laura.