The family of an "energetic and mature" young man have told how he lost his battle against cancer.

Keen cyclist Daniel Haigh died last week aged 27.

His parents, Kay and John Haigh, and his brother Adam described his brave battle with the disease.

They said: "Until 18 months ago, Daniel was a healthy young man. He had been a keen cyclist and hardly missed a day of school or work.

"But he began to lose weight, had a diminished appetite and began to be vaguely unwell.

"Typically for a male, he was reluctant to see his GP and even when he did so, in response to concerns from his workmates, no definite illness was diagnosed."

Daniel was born in Brighton and went to Queens Park and Longhill schools and then to Brighton College of Technology.

In 2000 he took a seven-month trip around the world and, according to his family, came back with "self-assurance and maturity".

He joined the Inkfish Call Centre and left home to share a rented house with friends.

After visitng his GP, Daniel was referred to a specialist in digestive diseases who discovered a lump in his abdomen and arranged an operation last May.

Part of Daniel's colon was removed and sent away for analysis and in July the results showed a cancer. The operation wound developed an infection, which never healed, and delayed the start of treatment.

The Haighs said: "Initially, we were all optimistic. Daniel set himself the target of taking part in the London to Brighton bike ride of 2007 and felt inspired by the success in beating cancer of the American cyclist, Lance Armstrong."

Chemotherapy proved ineffective against the cancer, which was aggressive, and he lost more weight.

He found difficulty climbing stairs, walking to the shops and became increasingly frustrated by his condition.

Earlier this year, he had a short spell in the Martlets Hospice, in Hove, and returned home hoping to recover. But he got weaker and had to go back to the Martlets.

Daniel then accepted he would never recover and asked family and friends to celebrate his life.

He carried a donor card and his corneas will be used to help someone's sight. Daniel's grandfather was successfully given the treatment four years ago.

His family added: "The care he received at the Martlets was superb and his workmates intend to raise money in Daniel's memory to support their work.

"We've learned that cancer can strike swiftly, even in families with no history of the disease.

"When catastrophic illness does strike, considerable help is available with financial help, district nurses, caring doctors and the hospice movement. More of us might carry donor cards.

"While we would never say live for the day, let tomorrow look after itself', it is some comfort to know he packed a lot into his short life and had the affection of so many friends."

Daniel's funeral will be at South Chapel, Woodvale Crematorium, Lewes Road in Brighton at 10.45am tomorrow.

Family flowers only and any donations should be made to the Martlets Hospice.

Pay your tributes to Daniel below.