A BRAVE mum-of-three has lost her battle with cervical cancer.

Claire Mosley, 35, fought the disease for over a year but died at Kirkwood Hospice on July 2.

Speaking from the family home in Dalton, her proud husband James, 36, yesterday paid tribute to his ‘beautiful’ wife, who leaves behind daughters Aimee, 13, Lauren, 10, and seven-year-old son Harry.

He said: “Initially she was shell-shocked, we both were, but then once it had sunk in she came round to show unbelievable courage and determination to fight it.”

Claire was diagnosed in February, 2010, after a scan revealed a tumour on her cervix.

But despite more than 30 sessions of radiotherapy and three of chemotherapy the cancer spread to her lungs and doctors told her she had less than a year to live.

James added: “We were up front with the kids from the start.

“We told them what was happening and they knew they could talk openly about it.

“I used to wait until Claire mentioned dying but we both knew it was going to happen.

“We tried to just carry on as normal the best we could. The children were offered support and counselling and we just wanted to enjoy what little time we had left.

“From when Claire was diagnosed the treatment seemed to be working and we were told the tumour on her cervix had shrunk to a manageable level, but she started getting pains and further tests showed the cancer had spread to her lungs.

“The doctors told us it was inoperable because it was behind her windpipe.

“She had one more go of radiotherapy but it was too painful for her to stay still for the laser to pin point, so she had to stop.”

The tragedy comes after James lost his best friend Andrew Spencer, in 2008.

Andrew was well known on the Huddersfield stage due to his dancing success.

Claire, who grew up in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, moved to Huddersfield with her dad Robert in her 20s and was working in a clothes shop in the town when she met James.

He added: “She was beautiful. She had a lovely smile and a great sense of humour. She lived for her children and family. She was a very caring person and would do anything for anyone.”

In her school days Claire was a keen cross-country runner representing her county and in later years started an Open University degree in Criminology inspired by her love of the TV show CSI.

The family had recently enjoyed a holiday to Center Parcs to share precious memories and had planned to go to a Haven holiday park, but sadly Claire passed away before they could make the trip.

Speaking of her final days, James added: “She was in so much pain she agreed to go into Kirkwood Hospice so they could manage it better.

“She knew she wouldn’t make it to her sister Sarah’s wedding at the end of the month so they agreed to have a blessing at the hospice which meant a lot to her. She was aware of what was happening and looked forward to the children visiting. She had chosen hymns and music for her funeral.”

Claire requested that she be buried in Whitley Bay next to the grave of her baby daughter Sophie, who she lost to cot death before meeting James.

Her memorial service will take place on Friday at All Hallows, Almondbury, ahead of her funeral next Tuesday at St John’s Church Whitley Bay.