A LITTLE boy with a big smile has passed away following a brave battle with cancer.

Darlington youngster Mark Hammond was just six when he was diagnosed with a rare type of cancerous brain tumour in 2015.

The plight of the Mount Pleasant Primary School pupil touched the hearts of many and saw his local community and well-wishers from across the world pull together to raise more than £26,000 in an effort to prolong his life and support his loved ones.

On Tuesday evening, a spokeswoman for the Hammond family announced the eight-year-old's death “with a heavy heart”.

She thanked those who had supported the family throughout Mark’s illness and shared a poignant post from Mark’s mother, Hannah Hammond, who took to Instagram to say: “At 8.15am our beautiful little boy left us and went to play with the angels.

“We miss you so much already Mark, but we know you are now free from all of the pain that you have had to go through these past few years and that you are in a much better place.

“You have done us so proud, what an absolute warrior.

“Sleep tight my angel, we will be together again.”

Hundreds of people have paid tribute to the brave little boy, who will be remembered for his bravery in the face of adversity. 

One person said: “It would be wonderful to see you play or smile but heaven lent you to this world for just a little while and in that short but precious time you brought along so much love, courage and all that love is with you now in heaven.”

Another tribute read: “Such a brave warrior, he gave all he could.

“No matter what life chucked at him he never went a day without a smile, he’s such a tough one.”

Many others offered condolences to the youngster’s heartbroken family, who fought tirelessly to prolong Mark’s life while raising awareness of cancer.