A young man who died after enduring a lifetime of operations to cure his brain illness will be buried tomorrow in his Red Cross uniform.

More than 200 mourners are expected to turn out to pay their last respects to Colin Webb, 28, who died earlier this month.

Mr Webb had more than 45 operations during his lifetime to drain fluid from his brain, a condition with which he had suffered from birth.

He died suddenly at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

His death followed an operation at Hurstwood Park Neurological Centre in Haywards Heath in September 2000 to relieve pressure on his brain, which was affecting his co-ordination.

But following the treatment, his condition deteriorated rapidly.

Before he was confined to a wheelchair, Mr Webb, who lived with his mother Marina Webb, 53, was an active volunteer with the Sea Cadets, St John Ambulance and the Red Cross.

Mrs Webb, of Brighton Road, Newhaven, said her son's plight touched many people in Newhaven, including his favourite actor Chris Ellison, who he met at a Newhaven Lifeboat function in July 2000.

She said: "I couldn't walk into a shop without someone asking how Colin was doing.

"His braveness in the face of all he went through had such a profound effect on people. He would never moan about his condition. He would just get on with it.

"His death has killed me and I know I will never get over it. It's a tragic loss for everyone who knew him."

Mr Webb was born three months premature at just 2lb 8oz and given three days to live by doctors.

But although he defied doctors' expectations, Mr Webb endured a tortuous first three years of life, with constant trips to the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Mrs Webb, who is divorced from Colin's father, said: "Colin was a fighter who went against what the doctors were saying.

"It's just so sad after all he has been through that it has come to this.

"Colin had so much ambition. He dearly wanted to work, particularly in a garage, as he loved cars.

"But, because of his condition, no one could offer him the chance."

A funeral service will take place at St Michael's Church in Church Hill, Newhaven, at 11.30am, followed by the burial at Newhaven cemetery.