WORCESTERSHIRE rock star Clifford T Ward has lost his 20-year battle with multiple sclerosis.

The singer-songwriter, whose series of hits during the 70s included Gaye and Lost Again, died yesterday morning.

The former English and drama teacher, who continued to write music right up until his death, will be buried during a small family service after Christmas.

The 57-year-old father-of-four died in Tenbury Community Hospital.

Pat, the singer's wife and manager, said today that the singer, who lived near Stockton-on-Teme, had been at the hospital for a number of days and had died quietly.

"He deteriorated quickly at the end," she said. "He had become very frustrated with the illness, but he is at peace now. He always maintained his passion for music and kept his great sense of humour.

"Right now he is probably up there laughing and wondering what all the fuss is all about."

Stephen Bagust, a friend and secretary of the Clifford T Ward fan club, said the singer would be sadly missed by many people.

His passion for love songs and ballads had probably cost him the financial success and continued recognition enjoyed by many superstars, he added.

"He was a wonderful man. I really feel privileged to have called him a friend.

"Clifford never achieved the financial success or recognition which other, lesser artists have. Because he wrote sad songs at a time when the popular music was funk he never received the acclaim he deserved. He was a very under-rated performer.

"But he stuck with what he knew best, ballads about love and lost love, which meant his songs stopped getting anywhere in the charts. And that really is a shame as they were quite brilliant."

Mr Bagust predicted that the singer's death could result in a surge of interest from lost fans.

"The website for Clifford is always receiving messages from throughout the world from fans and people who have rediscovered his music," he added.

"The ironic thing is people will now be re-introduced to his music."