MISS Gwen Forster, the first physiotherapist at Malvern's hospital, has died aged 97.

Gwendoline Myra Forster was born in Weston-super-Mare but she came to Malvern at the end of First World War with her parents.

She trained at Bristol General Hospital as a "masseuse" or physiotherapist and became the first physio at Malvern General Hospital.

She also worked at Birmingham Children's Hospital, St Cuthbert's in Worcester Road and for several doctors in Malvern.

She lived in Albert Park Road and was a regular worshipper at the Church of the Ascension, where she served as sacristan for over 40 years.

She was very involved in the concert parties and pageants held in the 1930s at both the Church of the Ascension and at St Matthias.

A talented watercolourist, Miss Forster studied under Victor Moody at Malvern School of Art.

She was also a skilled needlewoman and there are many extant examples of her work, especially ecclesiastical embroidery and the banner of Royds Lodge of Freemasons, of which her father was Senior Warden at the time of his tragically early death in 1927.

A member of Malvern Weavers' Guild, she often demonstrated spinning at various shows in the county.

She also belonged to Malvern Naturalists' Club and was still walking on the hills in her 97th year. She moved from Albert Park Road to her last home at the age of 80 and since then transformed the garden from a wilderness into the place of beauty it is now.