TRIBUTES have been paid to a “brave and inspirational” woman who has died from cancer.

Cheryl Steel died at home in Norton on January 3. The 38-year-old was diagnosed with cervical cancer last February.

Despite extensive treatment Cheryl was told the cancer had spread and was terminal.

Her husband Graham said Cheryl’s health had deteriorated further towards the end of November.

“On December 13 we were told she may not see Christmas Day, but fortunately she managed to see both Christmas and New Year’s Day,” he said.

Graham said he had met Cheryl 15 years ago while they were working in the horse racing industry and they married in September last year.

“I wanted to be with her for the rest of my life,” he said.

“Cheryl was everything to me, my wife and my soulmate.”

Graham added: “We did everything together and had so much in common.”

Sue Rice, landlady of the Hyde Park pub in Norton, which hosted a fundraising head shave organised by Cheryl in September to raise funds and awareness for cancer research, said: “Cheryl was incredibly brave to go through what she was going through and still wanted to help others.

“Cheryl was such an inspiration to us all. When she was first diagnosed she was determined to fight this terrible illness and fight she did.

“Cheryl loved her darts and unfortunately we never managed to beat her, but we had lots of fun when our team played hers.

“She was much loved by all her friends and is greatly missed.”

Cheryl’s funeral service will take place at St Peter’s Church, Norton, on Thursday, January 16, at noon.

Anyone who has photographs of Cheryl they would like to share at the service should phone Sue Rice on 07815 089355.