MARGARET Yates has been described by former colleagues as an "inspirational person".

Mrs Yates was involved in a large number of charities and voluntary groups as well as being well known through her nursing and managerial career in the NHS.

Jean Clunas, who runs the Blackburn and District Stroke Club, had been friends with Mrs Yates for more than 20 years after first meeting after working together at Park Lee Hospital in Blackburn in the 1980s.

She said: "Margaret was my boss and a wonderful woman. She was so passionate in everything she did and a real inspiration.

"The reason I began working at the hospital was because of her.

"Her real area of interest was improving care of the elderly and she worked very hard in that area. "

Mrs Yates set up the Hyndburn Stroke Club in the late 1980s and helped Mrs Clunas set up a sister organisation in Blackburn.

Mrs Clunas said: "I said when she retired she would be missed and then when she moved away I said she would be missed. Now she has died and she will be very badly missed."

Another friend, Audrey Foy, was a member of the Queen's Park Hospital League of Friends with Mrs Yates.

Mrs Yates was chairman of the fundraising organisation from her retirement at the hospital in 1993 until 1998.

Mrs Foy, of Haslingden Road, Blackburn, said: "Margaret was a very dynamic person and always got things done. During her time as chairman she helped raise thousands and thousands of pounds for the hospital.

"I will always remember her dedication to her voluntary work but she will be best remembered as a wonderful nurse and manager."

Lynn Wissett, clinical care director at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We are sorry to hear that such a prominent and well-respected former employee has died.

"Margaret worked at the hospital for over 30 years and was instrumental in developing the elderly care service in Blackburn to become a modern patient-centred service.

"When she retired in 1993 as director of nursing/service manager of medical services at the former Blackburn Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust, she did not stop working and supporting the trust.

"She became a volunteer with the ambulance service, transporting patients, as well as volunteering at the ante-natal clinic within the hospital and for local charities.

"Margaret touched many hearts and was a well-remembered member of staff who shall be missed by many people."

Ian Woolley, former chairman of the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Trust, said that Mrs Yates was an "outstanding colleague".

He said: "She was always full of wonderful ideas. She was hard working and determined, but also lively and full of fun.

"You don't get many people like Margaret Yates and we are so lucky that we had her working in Blackburn."

Age Concern chief officer Pauline Walsh said: "Everyone at Age Concern Blackburn with Darwen is really sad to hear of the sudden death of Margaret.

"For many years she was a valued trustee of our charity and an advocate for local people."