A father today paid a family tribute to his eight-year-old son who has lost his fight against cancer.

Little Max Tucker, of Wyke, pictured here on a visit to West Yorkshire Police, died on Tuesday - 18 months after doctors told his family he could not be cured.

On Monday they will gather at St Mary's Church, Wyke, for the funeral.

His father, Darren Tucker, said: "He never complained. He was a fantastic little boy and was extremely brave.

"When they told us nothing could be done, they couldn't say how long he had left.

"We did not think he would last as long as he did but in that time we tried to do as much as possible with him."

The family had days out at Leeds United where he met the players and directors, and he starred on Radio One's Mark and Lard show.

He also enjoyed a day with the Army, flying in a helicopter and driving a tank, and had a special day with Bradford police when a horse was named after him.

Max - a pupil at Worthinghead Primary School - was first diagnosed with the rare form of cancer neuroblastoma in December 2001.

He underwent three months of chemotherapy but doctors told his family in March last year he could not be cured.

Mr Tucker and his wife Linda also have a son Josh and daughter Natasha.

Mr Tucker said: "His sister has gone very quiet but his brother is playing out and talking about Max and is really proud to have been his brother."

Mr Tucker added: "In the end he was very poorly but he had loved life and lived it to the full and that's how we shall remember him."