TRIBUTES have been paid to a talented Largs dad after he tragically lost his brave battle with cancer at just 44.

Brent MacFarlane died after contracting a rare and aggressive form of the disease which affects an average of only eight people a year in the UK.

It was on the day of his mum Dona's funeral in October 2019, who also died of cancer, when he first took unwell.

Brent had a hospital scan and was initially diagnosed with a bladder infection but his pain continued and further examinations revealed he was facing his own fight for life.

He was told the disease was a rare form of soft tissue cancer called Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma and even rarer, it was in his prostate.

In March he started a gruelling chemo regime, which was then followed by radiotherapy, before an operation to remove part of his bladder with the hope of extending his life.

Unfortunately the cancer had spread and last month he was given the heartbreaking news that medics could do no more.

Brent peacefully passed away in hospital earlier this month, surrounded by family.

Tributes have been paid to the talented writer who penned a book about his beloved Rangers which became a top seller.

Brent lived in Greenock before moving to Largs, attending first year at Largs Academy and sister Jade starting at Brisbane Primary.

A family holiday to Carrickfergus saw a romance blossom which changed his life in 1999.

After meeting wife-to-be Leigh, love blossomed and Brent moved to County Antrim in 2004, before marrying in 2006 and going on to have two children, Madison, 10, and Mason, eight.

Brent went on to have a successful career as the manager of a bid writing team to help companies win contracts, and in his spare time was a fanzine writer for the well-known Rangers publication 'Follow Follow'.

In 2012, he was asked by a publishing company to write a book - “Manchester Brace Yourself - Rangers are Coming” - which documented fans' experiences travelling around the continent in the run-up to the club's 2008 UEFA Cup final v Zenit St Petersburg.

He got in touch with fans from all over the world to compile the book, which reached number four in the Amazon football book charts. Brent handed all the proceeds to the Erskine Veterans' charity.

The author was a Rangers fan form the age of six and would regularly attend games on the Largs Rangers Supporters Club bus.

For his 21st birthday, he insisted on having dinner at Ibrox overlooking the pitch in box 21 and a blue Rolls Royce was dutifully ordered to take Brent and his family to Ibrox and home again to Largs.

He built many friendships in the town and became well-known on the local football scene, organising the pub leagues.

Mum Dona was a security manager at IBM for 32 years before passing away at the age of 67 while dad Keith was head of operations at the Kilmarnock Prison Service, and served in the military. He still lives in Largs.

Sister Jade, 42, who now lives in Hampshire with her partner Marc paid a touching tribute to her brother.

She said: "Growing up Brent was always a fashion icon - he always used to make sure he was immaculately well turned out.

"Nothing was too much trouble and he could turn his hand to anything - he was the most kind, caring and generous man.

"Brent never got ill and was always a picture of health until this cancer diagnosis.

"He always worked very hard and had an inner determination to succeed. Brent was determined to beat the cancer, he never once said 'why me?' He will be dearly and sorely missed by all who knew him."

Throughout his illness Brent and his family were supported by the Boom Foundation, a sarcoma charity, and the family are inviting people to donate in is memory.

Visit sarcoma.org.uk/donate