Tributes have been paid to an inspirational Harpenden teenager who has lost his two-year battle with cancer.

William Moores, 18, died last Wednesday in the Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted and is already deeply missed by many who knew him, particularly his parents Amanda and Philip and his younger brother Alex.

He became something of a celebrity in 2012 when he was named “most inspirational teenager” by the WellChild Foundation, a national charity which celebrates the courage of children coping with serious illness.

Philip said: “Will was very proud to be seated next to WellChild patron Prince Harry for the awards evening.

And Will made everyone laugh when he fibbed in an ITV interview that he had asked the prince to put in a word with ‘granny’ for a knighthood – Will thought it would be excellent fun if his teachers had to call him ‘Sir’.”

Amanda said that Will, a keen sailor, endured his illness and tough treatment regime for a brain tumour with “bravery and humour”.

He spent a great deal of time and energy raising money for Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cancer Research UK and The Brain Tumour Charity.

He also worked part-time at charity shop, Raindrops On Roses, on High Street in St Albans.

Philip said that Will also loved being a student at St Albans School.

The school’s headmaster Andrew Grant has also paid a moving tribute to Will, saying that he had “given this community more than it could give him, and his life teaches us to seize the day”.

Mr Grant also praised the courage and fortitude with which Will faced his illness, “not raging against it, but not conceding any more to it than he had to”.

St Albans School is helping to organise his funeral at St Albans Abbey at 2.30pm next Tuesday, March 11 – all are welcome to attend.

Donations in Will’s memory can be made to St Francis Hospice, or The Brain Tumour Charity, via Phillips Funeral Services, 68 Alma Road, St Albans AL1 3BL or phone 01727 851006.