Tributes have poured in for a brave young man who lost his life to muscular dystrophy.

Ben Warman battled with the genetic condition from a young age and was also diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this year.

Family and friends of the 28-year-old said he lived his life to the full and was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Mr Warman, who had Duchenne muscular dystrophy and was part of a large family, grew up in Snodland, before moving to Birling in 2008.

He was one of three brothers in the same family to suffer from muscular dystrophy.

David, also known as Dodo, passed away in 2007 aged just 19 and 24-year-old Adam, who lived with Mr Warman, is still battling the symptoms.

His sister Stacey, is also a carrier.

The 25-year-old paid tribute to her big brother, calling him her “soldier.”

She said: “Benny was the perfect big brother he was always there and never let me down. Now him and Dodo can shine forever bright for me.

"I know they’ll both be looking down and guiding me through. Ben was very proud and didn’t like sympathy.”

Mr Warman, who passed away on Monday, July 27, attended Bower Grove School in Maidstone and sixth form at Valence School in Westerham.

He studied photography at Treloar College in Hampshire.

His brother, Jack, said: “Anyone who knew him would know he still lived his life and he didn’t let his condition get in the way. Ben has always been a fighter and I’m so proud I get to call him my brother.”

Family friend, Kellsie Hall, said: "Ben touched so many people and could always put a smile on anyone's face, he soldiered on as nothing fazed him. As I was growing up being round his house with Stacey and all our mutual friends I made most of my best memories.

"I feel privileged to have met Stacey and her family who I have known for over ten years, right there I have a life long friend"

Dozens of people, including Mr Warman’s mother Sally and her partner Colin, gathered at Snodland’s Nevill Park in Saltings Road on Monday for a balloon release in his memory.

Speaking to the KM, Lyndon Street paid tribute to Mr Warman: "Benny was a fighter. He never let anything get him down. When he started to lose the use of his legs he still liked to ride his bike. Couldn't walk but as long as you helped him get started he would ride round and round.

"The reason I mention this is it's a testament to his character. Everytime he got on that bike he knew that when he wanted to stop his legs wouldn't be strong enough to hold up the bike and it was inevitable that he would fall and hurt himself.

"Now that I think about it, he had the strongest character of anybody I know and I will always remember him for his bravery and his indefatigable will" - Lyndon Street

"So everytime he wanted to stop riding his bike he would just throw himself off. Everytime he rode his bike he knew he would have to fall off at the end of his ride but that never stopped him, he would just throw himself off regardless if it hurt or not because he would never give up doing wat he enjoyed.

"Now that I think about it, he had the strongest character of anybody I know and I will always remember him for his bravery and his indefatigable will."

Childhood friend, Keeley Wright, said: "Ben was an inspiration. Not just to me but to everyone who knew him. He defied all the odds stacked against him from the medical professionals, and lived his life to the fullest. He was such a character in all aspects of his life. He will be forever in our hearts and sorely missed by many."

Mr Warman's neighbour, Westy Moon, said the 28-year-old was always kind to his kids and a great friend and neighbour.

Mr Warman’s funeral will be held at Vinters Park Crematorium in Maidstone on Friday, August 14 at 2.45pm.