The parents of a little boy who put up a fierce struggle against cancer today paid tribute to "the bravest little boy in the world".

Plucky five-year-old Gregory Culff died in his mother's arms at their Leigh home after a ten-month battle with cancer. Doctors had said it would defeat him within weeks.

The computer-mad youngster, who was first diagnosed with a rare neuro blastoma at the age of three, had enjoyed a seven-month remission before the disease struck again last year.

Dad, Tony Culff, 34, said his son put on a brave face throughout his treatment at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel

He said: "He was so brave. Things the doctors said he would take months to get over, he was over in weeks.

"They gave him three weeks and he fought for ten months. He proved them all wrong."

Rachel Clark, 29, of Leigh Hall Road, Leigh, said a special thank you to all the people who arranged a street party for her son last summer when he enjoyed a ride in a Ferrari under police escort.

She said: "I want to say thank you to everyone at North Street Infants School and to all the people who came to the party and sent cards. It meant a lot to him."

Gregory, who was a fan of the Power Rangers television series, who also liked to go fishing, will be buried after a funeral service on Thursday, at St Laurence Church in Eastwoodbury Lane, Eastwood.

Published Tuesday, March 5, 2002