A RESPECTED former Kidd-erminster GP and chairman of Kemp Hospice board of trustees, Dr Michael Taylor, has died following a short illness.

Dr Taylor, who died on December 20, became involved with Kemp Hospice as a volunteer almost 20 years ago, becoming chairman of the trustees in 2002 after being on the board since 1993.

He had been one of the prime movers in the imminent relocation of the hospice from its current home in Sutton Park Road to its new home at the former Cedars Hotel, sitting on the design sub-committee for the new base.

A statement from his family said he was often to be seen poring over the plans for the new venture.

Born in Wigan, Dr Taylor came to Kidderminster in 1966 to work as a GP with Dr Malcolm Eliott and the late Dr Rupert Hill and was involved in moving the practice to the new health centre at Bromsgrove Street.

As the area's factory doctor, he was well known in all the carpet mills and also at Kidderminster General Hospital, where he served in the opthalmology department and in Accident and Emergency for more than 10 years.

He retired from general practice in 1988.

A statement from Kemp Hospice's board of trustees said Dr Taylor, who died at home in Kidderminster, had won the respect and affection of patients, staff and volunteers at Kemp and would be greatly missed. He was 71.

He leaves a widow Pat, two daughters, Claire and Catherine, and three grandsons.

His funeral was due to be held yesterday at St Pius RC Church at Habberley.