GWENDOLINE Allen, who has died aged 94, worked on some of the most intricate and ornate embroidery in Worc-ester Cathedral.

For nearly half a century Mrs Allen did design work for Worcester Embroiders Guild, designing kneelers, chair seats and wall hangings for the Cathedral, as well as a cope and mitre for the Rt Rev Mervyn Charles-Edwards, which was used during his tenure as Bishop of Worcester from 1956-1970.

In 1988-89, she designed a wall hanging depicting the coats of arms of all the towns in the Worcester Diocese and was among the members of the Guild who worked on a tapestry raising money at a pound a stick for the Cathedral Restoration Appeal. The effort brought in more than £20,000.

She also carried out design work for many other churches, both in Britain and abroad, including St Thomas a-Becket's in Hamburg, Kalamazoo Cathedral in America and St George's in Jerusalem.

Mrs Allen was born in Malvern in 1909 and studied painting, design and silversmithing at the town's Art School.

One of her first projects was making a communion plate for the Church of the Ascension in Malvern.

After she married Kenneth Allen, managing director of Worcester removals firm Winwoods, in 1935, the couple lived in Worcester, firstly in Lavender Road and then Barbourne Terrace.

For the last two years, Mrs Allen had been a resident of Avery Overall Rest Home in the city's Britannia Square.

Among her many interests, Mrs Allen was a member of Malvern Art Club for more than 70 years, painting her own cards and calendars right up to last Christmas.

She belonged to Worcester Recorded Music Society, was a voluntary worker with the WRVS during the Second World War and was also a committee member of the Friends of Worcester Eye Hospital, a member of the WI and a keen churchgoer who was a member of the congregation of St George's in Worcester for well over 50 years.

Mrs Allen leaves a daughter Elizabeth, son Geoffrey, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Her funeral was due to take place at Worcester Crematorium today at 3.30pm.