The family of a talented, laid-back, clever 21-year-old who bravely fought cancer for nearly two years have paid tribute to him.

Ollie Armstrong’s mum, Cheryl, and brother Charles, 18, have spoken about his sharp mind, sporting talent, easy going manner and the way he fought cancer in a typical Ollie fashion: with no fuss or complaints, he just got on with it.

“Everybody said you should be really proud of how he dealt with it,” said his mum, Cheryl, 46, of Gleneagles Drive, Belah, Carlisle.

“He just took everything in his stride. He was very pragmatic. He never sat about and moped about it.”

Ollie was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Ewing sarcoma in June 2015.

At first he suffered from aches and pains in his shoulders and back, which initially the family thought could be something to do with his job as a porter at Asda.

But the aches and pains didn’t go away and because he “wasn’t quite right”, as Cheryl said, he went to the doctor who took blood tests.

Ollie was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, when he was 19. It had started in his rib, but spread down his back.

Surgeons were unable to operate because of where the cancer was, so Ollie underwent an intensive treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Cheryl and Charles said Ollie was concerned because he had a place to study law at Northumbria University starting in 2015, which he had to defer.

He was also determined to go on a holiday with his friends, during which he was meant to celebrate his 20th birthday, but his health was not good enough.

Last year he managed a trip to London with a group of friends though, to make up for it.

Ollie did well at Trinity School, in Strand Road, Carlisle, and made many good friends.

He was a clever man and achieved good grades without having to try hard – he was proud of never getting below a B grade.

Cheryl said: “He was bright as a button, he was really clever but he’d done the minimum.”

Ollie, who supported Newcastle United, was also very naturally talented at sports and particularly liked playing rugby. He played both for his school and Carlisle RFC.

“He did enjoy playing rugby,” said Cheryl, “I think he really fell in love with it.”

Ollie also loved playing games on his PlayStation and watching action and sci-fi films.

After school, Ollie first went to Lancaster University to study economics. Although he loved the subject at school, he wasn’t as keen at university and decided to leave. He was then offered the place at Northumbria University.

Despite still battling his cancer and going for regular treatment at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, Ollie went to university last September and enjoyed studying law.

Charles said: “He’s always been good at questioning people because he was always quick.”

Cheryl added: “He was always sharp. He would have made a good lawyer.”

Although Ollie took his battle with cancer in his stride, as was his way, and cracked on with life without complaining, he sadly lost the fight on Friday , April 21 .

“I think it was just too aggressive in the end. It just got the better of him,” said Cheryl.

“We were still talking about plans for ahead and him finishing university.”

Despite its suddenness, the family said Ollie’s death was very peaceful at Eden Valley Hospice in Carlisle.

Since his death, they have received countless cards and messages from people, which Cheryl said was very touching.

The family said staff at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital and Eden Valley Hospice were lovely and really cared for Ollie.

His funeral will be held at Carlisle Crematorium on Thursday, May 4.