A keen sportsman who loved soccer and walking the fells has lost his battle against cancer.

James Fisher, 25, of Denholme, who thought he had beaten the disease, has died only a month after climbing the Three Peaks.

A first team member of Oxenhope Football Club - he played in the team that won the Northern Plant Hire Trophy in May - James was diagnosed with liver cancer two years ago.

He underwent surgery and chemotherapy and was understood to have made a recovery, but two weeks ago he relapsed. He died in St James' Hospital, Leeds, on August 4.

James was a kitchen designer at builders merchants Merritt & Fryers in Skipton, where he had worked since serving his apprenticeship as a joiner.

Staff at the company were this week shocked and distressed by his death, describing him as "one of the best."

His boss Michael Donald said: "He was brilliant. He could communicate with anybody at all levels.

"He was a lovely person to work with and full of fun. You only had to meet him once and you took to him."

He said James was diagnosed with liver cancer two years ago and after treatment seemed in good health.

A month ago he had climbed the Three Peaks and was training to take part in the London Marathon.

Company directors and colleagues and friends attended the funeral at St.John's Church, Cullingworth, on Wednesday.

Friend and colleague Maxine Roberts of Skipton said: "James was a very special person. He was remarkable - there was nobody like him. We are all missing him badly."

She said James' girlfriend Victoria Wadsworth was a student at Leeds University studying speech therapy.

Clifford Coates, secretary of Oxenhope FC, said James had got back to the first team, playing in midfield, after his illness.

"He had a wonderful personality," said Mr Coates.

"He was very likeable and was a valued member of the club. People like James are few and far between," .

One of the last things he did for the club was to organise the prize giving event, which he took on with enthusiasm.

James leaves his father Peter and mother Sylvia and three sisters, Gillian, Rachael and Amy.

The family is urging people to give donations in James' memory to the Liver Unit Rays of Hope Appeal at St James' Hospital or to Oxenhope Football Club.