A heartbroken family have paid tribute to a "beautiful" Peterlee mum who has passed away with brain cancer at the age of 38.

Emma Selby died in the arms of her parents on Tuesday morning following a four-year battle with brain cancer.

The mum-of-one had three brain tumours with doctors revealing they had exhausted all treatment options available on the NHS.

With the help of the Peterlee and Easington communities more than £30,000 was raised to fund potentially life-saving treatment for the "amazing" sister.

In a tribute posted on Facebook, Emma's sister Karen wrote: "With overwhelming sadness and a heart that is broken beyond repair, I need to let you all know that this morning [Tuesday] at 7.15am my beautiful sister Emma passed away in the arms of her mam and dad.

"She is now at peace. She fought the hardest battle for the longest time, and we are all so very proud of her, she never ever gave up.

"We were able to spend time with her at home with all of her loved ones around which was so special, and her son Thomas was super brave."

Emma Selby, who is battling a brain tumour, pictured with her son Thomas
Emma Selby pictured with her teenage son Thomas

Emma, from Easington, was diagnosed with her first brain tumour back in 2017 after suffering from dizzy spells, sickness, severe headaches and a twitchy eye - which doctors initially put down to a sinus infection.

But with her condition progressively worsening, the mum returned to hospital where she had an MRI scan which would reveal she had tumour called a brain stem glioma.

Despite the fact the tumour was inoperable, doctors were confident that radiotherapy could halt its growth.

And they were right, as a scan showed the treatment was working and the tumour had stabilised.

However, just two years later Emma was given the heartbreaking news that a second tumour had been found during a check-up scan.

Emma's treatment was due to begin in March last year, but it was delayed after the country was plunged into lockdown following the outbreak of coronavirus.

The fitness fanatic returned to hospital in May for a scan ahead of her treatment starting only to devastatingly discover a third more aggressive tumour, a high grade astrocytoma, had been located.

Chemotherapy was deemed ineffective and with no other treatment options available on the NHS, Emma's sister Karen Selby, 45, found a Spanish clinic offering immunotherapeutic dendritic cell therapy – a course of action the family had believed was their only hope.

And Emma was left overwhelmed by the generosity of the community who rallied to raise more than £30,000, which enabled her to begin her treatment.

The devoted mum underwent life-saving brain surgery in December - just 24 hours after doctors told her she had two days to live.

Doctors had found a bleed from the most aggressive of Emma's tumours – a high grade astrocytoma.

Emma, who has a 14-year-old son called Thomas, underwent a successful six-hour operation which was thought to have removed 90% of the tumour.

However, her consultant later confirmed in February that the remainder of the tumour had shown signs of rapid growth.

Emma Selby following her surgery in December
Emma Selby following her surgery in December

Tragically, Emma lost her life to brain cancer on April 6 and died in the arms of her parents.

Karen said: "I want to thank each and every person that has really helped Emma in her fight.

"There are so many kind wonderful people out there, that really do pull together when it matters and it honestly means so much to us and meant so much to Emma.

"I hope to see you in another life Emma."