TRIBUTES have been paid to a father and leading Welsh Ukip activist from Penarth who has died following a battle with cancer

Sam Gould died from stage four bowel cancer on Monday (June 5) aged 33.

He grew up in Penarth and went to Stanwell School before later moving to Caerphilly.

He was passionate about raising awareness of Bowel Cancer UK’s Never Too Young campaign, which aims to improve the diagnosis, treatment and care of younger bowel cancer patients.

During his treatment for bowel cancer he met Bowel Cancer UK CEO Deborah Alsina MBE who said the charity is "deeply saddened" to learn of his passing.

"He was determined to raise awareness of our Never Too Young campaign and to improve services for people in Wales to ensure other young lives are not needlessly lost to bowel cancer in the future," she said.

"He was an inspiration to us when he was dealing with the tough reality of his own situation.

"A campaigner until the end, his support has meant so much to us all at the charity. Our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time."

A spokesman for Ukip Wales said: "Sam Gould was a courageous campaigner for Brexit and the cause of independence for the United Kingdom from the EU.

"His boundless energy will be missed throughout the UKIP group in the National Assembly.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Sam during this difficult time.”

Nathan Gill, Ukip MEP and Independent AM, said he was "shocked" and "devastated" by the news.

"Sam was the most loyal, sincere and hard-working person I have ever met," he said on his Facebook page.

"His energy and enthusiasm for everything in life was contagious and inspiring. He will be dearly missed by, not only myself, but all of his colleagues and all those who got to know him at the Senedd.

"He tackled his illness, the same way that he tackled everything in life, with a smile, with hope and with a boundless energy. It is tragic that he succumbed to cancer at such a young age.

"He spent his last weeks trying to raise awareness of bowel cancer, and as was so typical of Sam, thinking of others. Just days before his death, he called me concerned about my upcoming hip operation.

"My thoughts and prayers are now with Caroline and his three young girls, who must be heartbroken."