TRIBUTES have been paid to a Carisbrooke teenager who died, aged just 18, from a brain tumour.

Alayna Shae Morris, of Castle Street, impressed everyone with her positive attitude after being diagnosed with the tumour in March

She was born on August 7, 2000, the youngest child of Jan and Aubrey Morris.

She attended Newport CE Primary, Nodehill Middle and Carisbrooke High schools and took a childcare course at the Isle of Wight College.

She had also taken part in a National Citizen Service (NCS) course, based on the mainland and at UKSA, Cowes, and had been appointed to the NCS Youth Board.

In June, 2017, she started a customer service apprenticeship at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, Wroxall, which she very much enjoyed and was a popular member of staff.

However, eight months ago she suddenly became unwell and it was revealed she had suffered a bleed on her brain.

She was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital where she was diagnosed with a grade 4 diffuse midline glioma, a serious brain tumour which usually affects young children but is rare in someone of Alayna's age.

She underwent an operation to remove as much of the tumour as possible but because of its position deep in the brain,surgeons were unable to completely eradicate it.

Alayna then underwent a gruelling course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy to slow the growth of the tumour but was determined to attend the Isle of Wight Festival in June, which started on the day her radiotherapy was completed.

Her mum, Jan, said: "She never once complained or cried but was always happy and smiling and determined to get on with life."

In September, Alayna also took part in a four-day round-the-Island sailing trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, making new friends with other youngsters from across the UK in the same position.

Throughout her treatment Alayna still visited the donkey sanctuary and one of the residents, Sooty, came along to her 18th birthday garden party in the summer.

Sadly, an MRI scan in October revealed Alayna's tumour had started to grow again and she was re-admitted to hospital.

Despite this, she maintained her sense of fun and just two days before she died, Alayna, her mum and nan, Wendy Higgins, all had matching tattoos of bumblebees on their wrists, a first for the hospital ward.

"I don't know why she chose a bumblebee design but I think it was her wicked sense of humour as I had been stung twice while out walking the dogs," said Jan.

"I am so glad we had them as it is something of Alayna I will always have with me."

Alayna died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on November 14.

The donkey sanctuary posted on Facebook: "Alayna was a breath of fresh air. She was bright, bubbly and lively and was a crucial member of our shop and cafe team. Her sense of humour was infectious and we are privileged to have been a small part of this wonderful girl's life."

Jade Beasley, of NCS, said: "We are so sad to hear of the passing of a wonderful young lady, whose energy was infectious and whose smile filled the room. The NCS Youth Board will certainly be quiet without her."

Alayna leaves her parents, brothers Ben and Jamie, niece Chelsea, boyfriend Jason Hayles and wider family.

Her funeral service will take place on Tuesday at the Isle of Wight Crematorium, Whippingham, at 12.45pm, where donations will be collected for the Wight Brainy Bunch and CLIC Sargent charities.