TRIBUTES have been paid to young mother of two Julie Dunford, formerly of Potterne, who has died of cancer at the age of 34.

Mrs Dunford lost her battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on January 3 at her home in Yeoman Way, Trowbridge, a year after she was diagnosed.

Mrs Dunford underwent chemotherapy at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, and the initial prognosis was good.

But despite the treatment the cancer spread and she and her family were given the devastating news on December 1 that her condition was terminal.

Mrs Dunford, who was separated from her husband, Charles, wanted to ensure she could spend her last Christmas with her children, Isabelle, nine, and Thomas, eight, and underwent five intensive sessions of radiotherapy. She was then cared for at home by her family.

Mrs Dunford's younger sister, Caroline Brailey, 32, of Devizes, said: "After six treatments of chemotherapy we thought she was going to be okay and Julie hoped she would be in remission by Christmas. She was looking forward to a future in her new home with her children. She was very brave in fighting this disease but the cancer took over.

"When we found out that the cancer was terminal, it was devastating news. Julie wanted to get through Christmas for her children's sake."

Mrs Dunford was brought up in Potterne and went to the village Primary School followed by Devizes School. After leaving school she worked for Wiltshire County Council's finance department where she helped schools to balance their budgets.

Mrs Dunford's father, Pete Lamb a recording engineer in Potterne, said: "Julie was fun loving and full of life. She loved her children and all of her family."

Mr Lamb started work with friends last year to compile a CD to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund (Hodgkin's, Lymphoma, Myeloma) which will now be produced in her memory.