DR Jean Clark MBE, who was a tireless campaigner for disabled people in Worcester and a committed medical doctor, has died at the age of 83.

Born Jean Mary Wright on October 3, 1921, in Dundee, she was educated at Dundee High School and then St Andrew's University where she studied medicine and dentistry.

She qualified in 1943 at the age of 22 and went on to specialise in plastic surgery and the treatment of burns and other forms of disfigurement suffered by military personnel in the Second World War.

In 1946 she married Alastair Clark, a doctor. The couple moved to Worcester in 1954 when he was appointed as the city's first orthopaedic surgeon.

She continued with her career as a plastic surgeon based at Wordsley, near Stourbridge. He died in 1989.

However, in the early 1960s, she was diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis and had to abandon her medical career and turned her energy to helping disabled people.

She was the honorary joint organiser of the Worcester Association for the Handicapped, chairman of the city's sports and recreation club for the disabled, chairman of Worcester Community Health Council and a sister of the St John Ambulance.

In 1977 she was awarded an MBE for services to the disabled.

Following a severe stroke in 1997, Dr Clark, a keen dog breeder, moved in to The Boynes Nursing Home, Upton-upon Severn. She died there on Monday, June 27, from a stroke.

Though she had no children of her own Dr Clark was extremely fond of her sister's sons, Guy and Herv Laurent.

Her nephew Guy Laurent, of Clifton, near Kempsey, said: "She was an extremely motivated, determined and energetic person all her life until her last illness.

"She was greatly admired and respected for the depth of her knowledge and experience." The funeral was due to take place today at Worcester Crematorium at 3pm.