TOUCHING tributes have poured in for a young woman who has tragically died at the age of only 22 following heart failure.

Stephanie Hurrell of Port Glasgow passed away on Tuesday night at the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank with her devastated parents at her beside

Her mum and dad Andrew and Angela and younger sister Jacqueline have been left distraught by their terrible loss.

Andrew, 49, told the Telegraph: "We are all heartbroken.

"Stephanie was a very kind person with a heart of gold.

"We are all missing her and are finding it very difficult at the moment.

"She was a very special person."

Stephanie became unwell just over a week ago, stricken with chest pains, she was rushed to Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

She was later transferred to the Golden Jubilee and suffered massive heart failure which caused organ failure.

Medics had told the family that a heart transplant was the only option but sadly the damage to Stephanie's liver and kidneys was too great.

They told her parents last Friday that there was nothing more they could do other than offer palliative care.

Stephanie lived with her family at West Woodside Avenue and had bravely battled with serious heart problems since she was born.

Aged only nine she also had two metal pins inserted to straighten her back during a seven-hour operation at the Royal Edinburgh Children's Hospital.

The former St Stephen's High pupil had surgery to repair a hole in her heart and when she was 16 she had a pacemaker installed and a faulty valve corrected.

It didn't stop the youngster living life to the full and she threw herself into charity work.

Stephanie was invited back to the then-Yorkhill Children's Hospital as part of the Queen's Baton relay for the Commonwealth Games.

She was a flag bearer at the glittering opening ceremony at Celtic Park and during that time met singing sensation Susan Boyle.

The big music fan also met X Factor singer Nicholas McDonald at Yorkhill in 2014 and she and her friends arranged for him to headline a charity gig in Inverclyde in aid of Yorkhill the following year.

Stephanie also went on to represent the district as a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament.

She marked her 21st birthday by presenting a cake to staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital's Cardiac Unit Ward 1E.

Family friend Anastasia Williams paid tribute to Stephanie, saying: "She battled through life from the first day she was born until her last with sheer dignity, love and respect.

"She will continue to be an inspiration to every single person who knew her.

"Her determination for living life to the full regardless of her limitations inspired so many people.

"The endless charity work she did to raise funds for Yorkhill Hospital and other causes was outstanding. "

Anastasia spoke of her friend's sense of fun and love for life.

She said: "Stephanie always knew how to make people laugh with her wee one-liners.

"Heaven has gained one of the most beautiful young ladies inside and outside."

Stephanie's many friends have paid tribute to their her on social media, with more than 400 people leaving messages of condolence.

Councillor Jim MacLeod, also a family friend, said: "Stephanie was a bright young woman who never let her disability and years of ill health hold her back.

"I have been friends with Andy and his family for almost twenty years and over that time Stephanie spent much of her time going to and from hospital but it never held her back.

"I was so happy for Stephanie and her family when she was elected to serve as one of Inverclyde's members of the Scottish Youth Parliament a few years ago.

"My thoughts are with Andy, Angela, sister Jacqueline, family and friends at this sad time."

Auntie Gillian Sherrard-McCulloch, who was married to Angela's brother, said: "Steph was a flower girl at my first wedding and a bridesmaid when I got re-married and we remained close.

"She was so strong, brave and funny and always making people laugh.

"She was really close to all of her cousins, we are all devastated."