The parents of 17-year-old Tylor Stevens, who was born with complex congenital heart defects, have paid tribute to their son after he died on Friday.

Tylor, a student at John Bentley School, in Calne, went in for a check-up at the Great Western Hospital, Swindon, on Monday, June 17, after developing a chest infection and passed away in his dad David’s arms more than a week later.

Parents David and Samantha Stevens, of Newcroft Road, Calne, said Tylor, whose 14-year-old sister Leah is also a pupil at John Bentley, enjoyed life to the full despite the challenges he faced.

Tylor was born at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, on September 7, 1995. He had two heart operations at a young age and also suffered from epilepsy and scoliosis.

Mrs Stevens, who stayed at home to care for Tylor, said: “He was just very unique and very special. I called him a limited edition, he was my limited edition.

“I would have loved to bottle his laugh. His oxygen levels were getting lower and lower and he would go blue when he laughed. We would be saying breathe, Tylor, breathe.”

Tylor was a talented artist and achieved an A* in art in his GCSEs. He then continued to attend classes as a Year 11 pupil and went on to do AS Level art.

He had secured a place to study art at Chippenham College in September and his work will be shown as part of an exhibition organised by John Bentley at Marden House on July 10 and July 11.

Tylor was also a Doctor Who fan and met many of the show’s stars at conventions across the country, including Colin Baker and Jenna-Louise Coleman, who plays the doctor’s latest companion.

He had planned to attend John Bentley’s Year 11 prom on July 12 with his friends Leanne Stevens and Jessica Hill in a David Tennant costume with red converse boots, a purple waistcoat and a Dr Who tie.

John Bentley teacher Emma Bennett, who taught Tylor art every other Saturday, said: “Tylor was a beautiful young man from head to toe, inside and out.

“In the six years I was lucky enough to know him he never complained, moaned or argued when many around him did.

“He loved life – he was the most passionate and funny, and the most positive human being I have ever met.”