TRIBUTES have been paid to an author who has died of cancer.

Tricia Walker, 53, who grew up in Ampleforth, but lived in Bournemouth, died last week, after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

She was best known for her debut novel Benedict’s Brother, which was voted Book of the Year by Publishing News and was the best-selling launch by an unknown debut author for Borders UK in 2007.

Tricia’s dad was the author Peter Walker, who wrote the Constable series that was made in the popular Heartbeat TV drama. He died last April from prostrate cancer.

In a statement, Tricia’s family, including her mother, Rhoda, sisters Janet and Sarah, and brother Andrew, said: “It is with enormous sadness that we wish to announce the death of our beautiful and loving daughter and sister Tricia. What we originally thought was a nasty stomach bug sadly turned out to be a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

“Tricia was admitted to hospital on November 30 and died on Monday, January 8.

“We are so grateful for the care she received during her brief illness at Bournemouth and St James’s hospitals, and during her last day at St Leonard’s Hospice in York.

“Tricia bore her illness with boundless positivity and determination, and faced every new challenge with unwavering fortitude.

“We are so grateful for all the messages of love and support sent to both Tricia and ourselves over the past few weeks.

“Tricia’s proudest achievement was the publication of her incredibly moving novel, Benedict’s Brother, and the progress she and her team had made to turn it into in a major film.

“We fully expect that the dream will not die with her, and it will one day become a reality.

“Thank you to all of you who wanted to visit Tricia in hospital, and we are sorry that many of you did not have a chance to see her one last time. Unfortunately, her decline was so rapid, that it was simply not possible.

“However, Tricia would be absolutely delighted if you would help us celebrate her life in the near future.

“Although Tricia has asked for a private cremation, she has also requested that we celebrate her life by scattering her ashes at Sutton Bank and in Boscombe near Bournemouth. You will all be very welcome to wish her a final farewell.

“Once again, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for all the love, kindness, prayers, and thoughts you have all sent us.”