Emma Young, 22, of Pickering, who suffered from cystic fibrosis, was surrounded by her parents, Karen and David, twin sister Lisa, older sister Belinda and her partner David Elliot when she died in York Hospital on Monday.

David, 27, a retained firefighter at Pickering, said: "She was my best friend. Her strength of character had no rival. She always had a smile on her face. "

The couple had been together for five-and-a-half years after meeting at a wedding reception in Kirby Misperton.

David, a joiner, said: "She was happy and bubbly and never let her condition get her down.

''Even if she was feeling really poorly, she would still say she was fine. She was a pleasure to be around and was unbelievably strong."

Emma, who went to Lady Lumley's School, was in the top seven at last year's Miss York competition and won the best dressed category.

At the time Emma, who worked at Shelagh Landy's Beauty by Appointment in Smiddy Hill, said: "I felt it would be really good fun and a good way to meet interesting people.

''If I get to wear a crown I will get to feel like a Disney princess."

At this year's Miss York she was on hand to receive the Miss Charity award and see three Pickering women, Helen Lawal, Laura Ehima and Beth Ridley, take the top three positions.

In a tribute to her courage, the contestants raised more than £3,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Organiser Vivienne Lee, of Events Connect, said that at next year's event it was likely any money raised would go to the trust or to ward 34 at York Hospital where Emma had spent a lot of time including many months this year.

She said: "She was a lovely, brave girl who was determined to come to this year's Miss York, although she was in a wheelchair and had her oxygen with her. The other girls are really upset."

She found Emma's competition entry for last year in which she had written: "I never let it get in the way of living every day to the full."

Many messages have been sent by text to David and put on the social networking website Facebook.

Beth Ridley said on Facebook: "The most beautiful person in more ways than one. An inspiration to everyone.

''I am just so glad that I spent such an amazing day with you and shared a great experience. Love you always xxxx."

Natalie Howarth said: "Sweet, sweet Emma. Love you so much, woz proud 2 av u in my life in the great college days, we ad such fun+a laf. RIP, darling."

Kerry Lythe stated: "one word, beautiful, sleep with the angels, u will never be forgotten x."

As David talked about Emma her tiny, fawn-coloured Chihuahua scampered about the house.

David said: "She got Tinkerbell about 18 months ago. She was her baby.


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