A grieving husband has told of his brave wife's four-and-a-half-year battle with cancer.

Donna McBride died last Friday, holding husband Robert's hand at their home in Longhouse Lane, Denholme.

The 37-year-old was surrounded by her family - daughter Kirsty, six, sons Nicholas, 17, and Gareth, 15, her mum, Ann Harrison and her two sisters and brother.

Before she passed away, she told her husband she wanted her story to be a message to other women - to persist in finding the correct diagnosis.

Before breast cancer was confirmed Mrs McBride had visited different doctors on a number of occasions.

"When she first went to the doctor, shortly after Kirsty was born, she was told her problem was hormonal," said Mr McBride, 38, who suffered a breakdown and later gave up his printing job to look after his wife.

"She had soreness in her breast, redness and an inverted nipple. She couldn't cuddle Kirsty properly because her breast was so sore.

"But it was only on the last occasion when she was seen by a locum that she was sent for further investigation."

The outcome was breast cancer, which had already spread to her lymph nodes.

Mrs McBride underwent surgery on December 12 1998 to have her left breast removed, followed by chemotherapy.

"It was a horrendous time. She was petrified about having chemotherapy and worried about losing her hair, which she did," said Mr McBride.

Sadly, the cancer eventually spread to her bones, liver and lungs.

She was fitted with a special pump to help ease the pain during her long fight.

"Donna got massive support from her mum - she was amazing - visiting her and going with her for her treatment," said Mr McBride.

"Donna hated going into hospital because it meant leaving the family. She was a devoted mum."

But by November last year she had become so ill she asked to go into hospital and was admitted to Bradford Royal Infirmary.

The disease had spread to her liver and doctors advised the family not to put her through another dose of chemotherapy.

She was admitted to Manorlands cancer care home in Oxenhope, and returned home for Christmas.

"It was awful to see the person you love dying in front of you. When they took her away I broke down and it was the boys who supported me. At the beginning of that day I had two boys - now I have two men," said Mr McBride.

Mrs McBride's funeral service will take place at Nab Wood today at noon.