BRAVE Edie Molyneux – whose courage while being treated for an inoperable brain tumor touched the hearts of thousands of people – has sadly passed away.

Four-year-old Edie, from Tranmere, was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) last year.

In a Facebook message this morning, Edie's parents announced their brave little girl, who only turned four last week, had "gained her angel wings" yesterday afternoon and called her an "inspiration to us all.

They said: "It is with indescribable pain that we have to tell you all our baby gained her angel wings at 1.30pm yesterday afternoon.

"I literally have no words to say anything more right now.

"Please keep us in your hearts.

"We are heartbroken and lost but so proud of how hard Edie fought and how many people’s lives she touched. An inspiration to us all.

"Edie, you are forever our baby".

Edie’s family had set up The Spider-Ede Appeal and joined forces with The Bradley Lowery Foundation in an attempt to raise cash so that Edie could continue to receive potentially life-saving intra-arterial chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment in Mexico.

Setting a target of £700,000, countless fundraisers had stepped in to help raise cash to help Edie reach her target.

In April Edie was named as an honorary 41st place at the Randox Health Grand National, a place which was first introduced by Jockey Club Racecourses for five-year-old Bradley Lowery who passed away after battling a rare cancer called neuroblastoma in July 2017.

After hearing about Edie's appeal at Aintree Racecourse, a mystery benefactor donated £250,000 towards her treatment.

A variety show organised by Liverpool funnyman Ricky Tomlinson, staged at the Gladstone Theatre in June raised £7,000 for the cause.