A PIONEER of education for children with learning disabilities, who shunned any recognition during her lifetime, has died, aged 91.

Margaret Bushell was a fou-nder member of Mencap but few would recollect her name.

When her late daughter, Frances, was born with Down's Syndrome in 1949, she received a standard letter saying her child would never be allowed access to education.

She refused to accept this and in 1954 began running classes for children and young adults with learning disabilities, raising funds via jumble sales, collections and donations.

This marked the birth of the Malvern branch of Mencap, one of the first in the country, the formation of which eventually led to the creation of a national association.

Fred Heddell, chief executive of Mencap, said: "She worked tirelessly, devoting 47 years to the work of Mencap, and she will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her.

"It is the work of people like Margaret which helps bring about real change and opportunities for the 1.4 million people with learning disabilities in the UK."

Mrs Bushell, who lived in Hanley Terrace, Malvern Wells, for more than 50 years, represented Malvern at regional and national levels of the charity and became friends with Judy Fryd, the founder of the national association.

She lobbied Worcestershire County Council for years, and eventually persuaded it to build a training centre at Lower Wick, on land owned by Worcester City Council. This became Manor Park School in 1971, which now stands in Turnpike Lane, Worcester.

"She was a great woman, a selfless humanitarian," said friend and current president of Malvern Mencap, Chris Peters.

"I remember when the national organisation contacted us and asked if there was anyone we thought deserved special recognition, and she would not let us put her name forward.

"She worked so hard, and her only thoughts were for the children. She was still selling Christmas cards for us until just before she died."

She died in Malvern Community Hospital on Saturday after a short illness, and her funeral will take place tomorrow (Saturday) at St Wulstan's Church, Malvern Wells at 2.30pm. All donations will be to Mencap.