TRIBUTES have been paid to an inspirational sculptor and much-loved friend who has died from liver cancer.

Rory Young has been described as 'a man of passions' with 'enormous enthusiasm'.

Last year, the Standard reported how Rory was raising money for the Oncology Centre at Cheltenham General Hospital where he was treated for terminal liver cancer.

Rory auctioned off a replica model of a sculpture that he had helped make for Christchurch Priory in Dorset which raised thousands.

The original sculpture was of a doctor wearing a mask and was made out of limestone from France.

Rory spent his entire life in Cirencester and attended the former Oakley Hall School.

Among the friends he made at school was Richard Mullings, with whom he had tea just 10 days before he died.

Richard said Rory's boyish enthusiasm never wavered and described him as a 'truly dedicated professional artist who worked with enormous enthusiasm coupled with skill'.

Another school friend Mark Hurrell said: "Not only was he a true friend but he was enormously respected by his fellow stone masons.

"He will be sorely missed by many for his enthusiasm and dedication to his craft."

Rory devoted a lot of time to Cirencester Parish Church.

Parish priest the Reverend Canon Graham Morris said: "The Parochial Church Council appreciates the enormous contribution he made during his time here in Cirencester.

"His infectious approach to life and his deep faith is what made him stand out from the crowd."

Artist PJ Crook said: "As a fellow artist, I was always hugely moved by Rory’s great dedication to his work.

"They were imbued with his spirit of sublime beauty and grace many churches, cathedrals and secular buildings, a legacy left to lift and inspire us over the generations."

Ian Rank-Broadley, fellow sculptor, said: "Rory was a passionate craftsman with an eye for detail."

Lucy Abel Smith, founder of Fresh Air Sculpture at Quenington, said: "Rory was a man of passions. For his friends, his surroundings, new places and for stone in which he was steeped."

"For our last show he made three pieces of wonderful lettering all of which sold."

Alan Powers, past master at The Art Workers' Guild, said: "Rory exemplified the ideals of the Arts and Crafts for our time. He was curious about everything, observant, and meticulous.

"He animated every gathering he attended with enthusiasm, and poured his skill and invention into making his humble home in Cirencester a multicolour memory palace."