BRAVE and talented teenager Rosie Kilburn has died following a battle with cancer that has lasted almost four years.

The 19-year-old from Bromsberrow Heath was diagnosed with liver cancer in February 2008 but refused to let her illness stifle her enthusiasm for life.

She successfully studied for her GCSEs and AS-Levels at Newent Community School while battling the disease and later set up her own non-profit business selling T-shirts to raise money for cancer research.

Rosie also wrote an online blog, The Knock On Effect, which went on to be viewed by hundreds of thousands of people.

Her sense of humour and unflappable optimism in the face of the challenges she faced won Rosie many followers from all over the world.

Her parents plan to continue writing it to keep up awareness and carry on the fundraising work that she started.

Rosie died at home, surrounded by her family, on Monday morning. She is survived by her parents, Chris and Jo, brother Calum and sister, Sylvie, and boyfriend Toby Wells.

Her family made the last entry on Rosie's blog saying: "Our beautiful, feisty, annoying, brilliant Rosie died this morning. She'd give you details, all the gory ones. And would probably provide a picture too. Actually, although she was distressed to begin with, it ended quickly and peacefully. And we're not shying away from the details to be sensitive.

"She was still telling the doctors and nurses what to do an hour before she died. There are no fine last words to report – not sure that anyone does really. But the last two people she spoke about were Calum and Sylvie. She did set Sylvie a harsh task, which is to watch Red or Black for her, which Sylvie will do with pride."

A Facebook group, Rosie Kilburn Gone But Never Forgotten, has attracted hundreds of supporters who have left messages honouring the brave teenager.

Staff at Newent Community School are in discussion over how best to ensure that Rosie's legend lives on at the school with a special tree or annual 'Race for Rosie' run in her memory having been suggested.

Headteacher Jane Steele said: "Rosie was a remarkable girl and a larger-than-life character at the school.

"Her sense of humour, personality and creativity humbled everyone who met her."