A VOLUNTARY worker who was an "inspiration" to others has died at the age of 22.

Andrew White, of Arthur Street, Nelson, suffered from long QT syndrome, a disorder affecting the heart's rhythm.

His illness had left him weakened. Andrew died in Burnley General Hospital on June 15 after a series of pneumonia infections.

His parents said that although he had struggled with his condition, as well as other health problems including the spinal disorder pyramidal syndrome, he always kept going.

He had been treated by Burnley General Hospital's mental health programme during a period of depression.

But the computer "whiz kid" overcame his problems and returned to the community team's The Hive centre to became the group's first volunteer, teaching others computer use.

He had built up his skills in three years studying IT at Burnley College, after attending Primrose Hill primary school and Primet High School, and used computers to help cope with his illness.

Andrew's long QT syndrome was diagnosed after he collapsed during a swimming lesson at Wavelengths pool, Nelson, at the age of 12. He was not breathing and had no pulse when he was found floating in the water, but quick-thinking pool staff saved his life.

His father James said: "It was really hard for him then because he had loved swimming and all sorts of things like that but he had to stop doing them when they diagnosed him.

"He had to have operations and a pacemaker fitted to keep his heart going and there were a lot of things he couldn't do.

"But otherwise he was just an ordinary young lad. He liked wrestling on the TV and he talked to people all over the world over the internet." His mother Winnifred said: "He kept on going no matter what and I'm very proud of him. He made the best of what he had and he managed to be happy."

Keith Gregson, who worked with Andrew at The Hive, said: "He was the first person we'd had who had been here to get well and then come back as a volunteer, and we've had five more follow his lead since then. He became quite ind-ispensable for us and he was my right-hand man in the computer sessions. He was a real whiz-kid.

"He would always be here, even if he wasn't well. He would have to be really, really poorly to miss a session.

"Andrew was a great guy, and he put all his efforts into helping others.

"He was a real inspiration to a lot of other centre users and showed how much you can contribute even if you are ill."

The funeral is on Wednesday, July 4, at 11.30am Stott House chapel of rest, Colne, followed by burial at Walton Lane cemetery, Nelson.