Last November the 16-year-old lost his fight with the disease he had first been diagnosed with two years earlier.

Though doctors caught the illness early in Alex, from Alverthorpe, Wakefield, after a period of remission it returned.

Alex's mum Sarah said he was "extraordinarily lucky" that the cancer was found at such an early stage, even though he still couldn't overcome the disease.

Initially both him and twin brother Patrick had suffered leg pain but when Alex's persisted, he went to his GP.

The locum doctor immediately referred him for an x-ray.

"As a consequence the disease had not got hold of him and made him feel unwell," Mrs Dawson said.

The keen runner and rugby player underwent surgery and chemotherapy and seemed to be doing well.

But a routine scan in May last year picked up numerous tumours in his lungs.

Bone cancer facts

Alex fought on, achieving a string of As in his GCSEs and starting to study for AS levels at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield. However he could not beat the illness and died last November, leaving his dad Will and older sister Felicity as well as his mum and twin brother.

Sarah said though it had been very difficult for the family to deal with, they were inspired by Alex's bravery.

"Alex was a very positive boy and had to carry on," she said. "We continue to carry on."

And they are keen to raise awareness of the need to investigate any suspect pains early.

Sarah added: "Early diagnosis is absolutely crucial."