Tributes have been paid to a man who tragically died just weeks after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Chris Frankland was 26 and full of life when he was given the shattering news. It’s not known where the cancer started but by the time he was diagnosed in February it had spread to his lungs, liver and colon.

The graphic designer was put on a course of chemotherapy but was warned that nothing could be done to cure him.

He died after suffering a pulmonary embolism.

His grieving family paid loving tribute to a son who ‘had too big a character to sum up in words’.

Mum Angela said: "He was just a normal lad in the prime of health when he suddenly started to feel poorly.

"We knew within a couple of weeks that they couldn’t do anything for him.

"It’s not nice to see a lad who is normally very fit become so ill but he dealt with it all wonderfully.

"You just can’t imagine how it must have felt to be told you will not live.

"We were all devastated but he really took it in his stride.

"We were all so mad but he just shook the doctor by the hand and was very dignified in how he handled it.

"He was so young and full of life. He was such a fun person and words really can’t describe him.

"He was a legend to his friends and very caring and unique.

"The are too many words to describe what he meant to us."

The former Oldham Sixth Form pupil, who lives in Royton, was a keen footballer who played with the Oldham Hulmeians in the Lancashire Amateur League for nine years.

He recently joined the Chaddertonians but only played a handful of games for them before falling ill.

The life-long Manchester United fan also leaves behind dad Robert and older sister Katie.

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