FIONA Young, one of 12 women featured in a glamorous Fifties-style

calendar in aid of breast cancer charities, has died of the disease.

Fiona, known to her friends as Fi, died in the Martlets Hospice in Hove after a five-year battle with the illness.

In January this year, Fiona, 42, was given two days to live but fought back and won another ten months with her children Luke, 17, and Anna, 13.

Her mother Denise said: "Fiona's personality was as striking as her looks. She had so many friends and was so well known. We will all miss her so much."

Fiona, of Lynchet Close, Brighton, was Miss December in the charity calendar for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Macmillan Cancer Relief and Breast Cancer Care.

Along with fellow sufferer and neighbour Enza Pistone Acerboni and ten other women, Fiona dressed in Forties and Fifties underwear, oozing glamour and poise.

Fiona was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and had a double mastectomy. She had been having regular checks for the disease as it claimed the lives of her grandmother and three aunts.

Despite gruelling treatment, she remained cheerful and positive and regularly surprised her family with her energy.

Denise said: "When she was told she had two days to live, she amazed doctors by coming back. She was determined to fight it. She had reiki healing which she found very, very helpful.

"She had been so sick but she took it all as if it was natural. She kept stalling death and I don't know where she got her guts from.

"One day she would be at home, really sick and the next day she would ring my up and say: Guess where I am - Churchill Square. I came on the bus.'"

Fiona was cared for at home by her boyfriend Tom with Luke and Anna, supported by her parents and district nurses.

She died on Tuesday in the Martlets, where Denise said she received the most sensitive care.

Denise said: "We were all at the hospice when she died. Luke spoke for all of us when he sat with her and told her: We will love and miss you so much.' We were so proud of her.

"Her courage was admired by everyone, including the medical staff who treated her."

Fiona attended Hertford School, Varndean College and Brighton Art College. She loved children and art and worked widely with community groups and projects like Beacon Arts, often as a volunteer. She was also a Brighton and Hove Albion fan.

Fiona's funeral will be next Wednesday at Woodvale Crematorium at 10.15am.

The calendar Fiona posed for is available now from ww.corsets4cancer.com or by calling 0208 441 7661 and costs £9.99 plus £2.50 p&p.