A former Ashby School student whose friends and family had been trying to raise money to send him to the USA for leukaemia treatment has sadly died.

Dylan Lamb, 20, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Saturday evening.

He was diagnosed with leukaemia last year and a series of fundraising initiatives were set up after his cancer returned earlier this year.

Manchester City and England footballer Jack Grealish donated £5,000 to the appeal, while actor Stephen Graham also became involved in the fight to save Dylan, who had been given weeks to live.

A social media post from Dylan's friends - some of whom also attended Ashby School - read: "He went in his sleep with his family by his side, having said his goodbyes to all of his friends the day before and he was still full of laughs and jokes.

"I cannot put into words the love that us lads and Dylan's family have felt through this difficult time.

"We cannot thank everyone enough for the continued support and love.

"I hope we have done you proud bro and I hope you know that we will always love you."

Dylan was 19 and in his first year at university when he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

He was told he needed a further stem cell transplant when he was given the news that the cancer had returned.

The BBC website reports that his family said he first had to get into remission and for that he needed CAR-T treatment, which is not currently available for his age group in the UK, but can be paid for as a clinical trial in the US.

The NHS said CAR-T treatment involves altering immune cells in a laboratory to attach to and kill cancer cells.

His friends took on the Three Peaks Challenge climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon all within 24 hours, which they completed last week.

Last month, we reported that some of Dylan's friends from Ashby had set up a fundraiser at the Co-op in Derby Road.