First class result: Stephen Sutton's brother gets top degree despite sitting exams shortly after inspirational teen's death

The brother of inspirational teenager Stephen Sutton has achieved a first class honours degree, despite sitting some of his exams shortly after his 19-year-old sibling died of cancer.

Christopher Sutton, 21, averaged an impressive 87 per cent after four years of studying maths and mathematical physics at University College London.

He was midway through his final exams when Stephen was admitted to hospital in April this year.

But he carried on with his studies, completing the last three tests after his brother had passed away – and still averaging 81 per cent.

Praising her son on Stephen’s Facebook page, proud mother Jane, 49, said: ‘Everyone knows how amazing Stephen was.

[Thousands attend service for British 'bucket list' teenager]

‘However, I also have another amazing son, Christopher, who has been studying for the past four years.

‘Yesterday he got his results and he will graduate with a First Class Honours degree in Mathematics and Mathematical Physics.

‘Christopher, your achievements are incredible and I'm so proud of you.

‘What makes this all the more impressive is that Chris was sitting his finals when Stephen was admitted to hospital in April, then had to sit the remaining three after Stephen passed away.

‘Congratulations Chris you're a star or ‘awesome’ which is how Stephen would have described you. Go out there now and celebrate in style - you so deserve it xx’

Hundreds of mourners performed a minute’s 'thumbs up' in honour of cancer hero Stephen when he was laid to rest at Lichfield Cathedral at the end of May.

The smiling teenager won supporters from around the globe when he posted a picture of himself in hospital doing a ‘final thumbs up’ shortly before he died of bowel cancer.

It became a symbol of his inspirational spirit and a campaign to help him raise cash for the Teenage Cancer Trust soon went viral.

[Queen's Birthday Honours: Stephen Sutton's MBE]

Yesterday, the amount raised for the charity stood at £4.2 million - the largest single donation in the charity’s history.

Stephen, from Burntwood, Staffordshire, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2010 when he was just 15, but despite having the tumour removed from his bowel it returned the next year.

Even though he was told it was unlikely he would survive more than a few years, he decided to make a 46 part 'bucket list' of things to do before he died.

Top of his list was to raise £10,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust, although after quickly raising the money, the figure changed to £1million, which has now more than quadrupled.

[Stephen Sutton: A Final Thumbs Up for Britain's Favourite Son]

He also managed to tick off 36 of the 46 tasks on his list before he passed away on May 14 this year.

A host of celebrities including Stephen’s friend the comedian Jason Manford, David Cameron and Manchester City football club paid tribute to the teenager after his death.