A nurse achieved her goal of celebrating her daughter's sixth birthday before losing a three-year battle against cancer.

Baildon couple Mike and Barbara Kedward today spoke of the courage of their daughter Joanne Hallas, who died at her home on Tuesday.

Keighley-born Joanne, 36, who worked as a district nurse, had fought to see her husband Andrew's 40th birthday in December and her youngest daughter Bethany's birthday on January 21.

Mrs Kedward said: "Towards the end Joanne had things she wanted to do, she set herself goals and she achieved them.

"Joanne knew from her training as a nurse what would happen but she was very strong which helped those around her come to terms with it."

Joanne, who leaves another daughter Kayleigh, nine, and a sister, Jackie, of Thackley, discovered she had cervical cancer three years ago and was given two years to live.

Despite a hysterectomy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, her conditioned worsened.

A former pupil of Baildon CofE First School, Ladderbanks Middle School and Salts Grammar School, she had worked as a district nurse in the Huddersfield area from the age of 19 where she met her husband and settled in Netherton.

Her career included a stint working at Holly Bank special school in Mirfield.

Former workmates and school friends from Baildon are expected to attend her funeral on Tuesday. Mr Kedward, of Hallfield Drive, Baildon, an umpire for the Bradford Cricket League, said: "She didn't tell us everything that was going on with her illness. We found out afterwards how bad it was. We got our strength from her, not the other way around."

Mrs Kedward said: "Over the last year she amazed everybody with the way she dealt with her illness. She had put her house in order and got her head around everything. She loved life and as a girl she had done some running with the Bingley Harriers.

"She even scored for the second team at Baildon Cricket Club."

Joanne's funeral service will be at Holy Trinity Church, Netherton, Huddersfield, at midday on Tuesday, followed by a private family cremation.

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