DENISE Hendry's legal team today hailed a 'triumph for her bravery' after the surgeon whose operation left her seriously ill struck himself off.

Gustaf Aniansson is no longer allowed to practise as a doctor in the UK after he volunteered to be removed from the medical register.

The move followed complaints lodged to the General Medical Council by Mrs Hendry, the wife of former Blackburn Rovers star Colin, and 12 other woman.

They claimed that Mr Aniansson performed cosmetic surgery on them negligently.

Mrs Hendry, 36, a mum-of-four, underwent a liposuction operation at Broughton Park Private Hospital, Preston, in April 2002.

Days later she was transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital after contracting septicaemia. She spent more than a month in a coma and several more in a wheelchair as she recovered.

Manchester-based solicitors Pannone and Partners is acting for Mrs Hendry and more than 30 woman in compensation claims against Mr Aniansson.

Stephen Jones, a partner at the firm, said: "The main reason why Denise felt compelled to seek legal advice and share her experience was that she did not want other women to suffer as she had.

"We felt it important to highlight what had happened because we are acting for so many other clients with concerns about Mr Aniansson that we believed he was essentially unsafe.

"The fact that he is now no longer allowed to practise medicine in the UK represents a triumph for those women brave enough to have come forward."

Mr Aniansson was being investigated by the GMC. During this process, a doctor has the right to request voluntary removal from the register.

Neil Marshall, head of screening for the GMC, added: "Voluntary erasure from the register negated the need for a lengthy investigation and hearing and was considered an effective means of preventing him from being able to practise.

"Any future application made by Dr Aniansson to have his name restored to the register would have to be considered by the GMC, and the current allegations against him could then be revisited.

"We will give foreign regulatory bodies who need information about Dr Aniansson the details they require to judge whether he is fit to practise in that country. Our primary concern is to ensure that patients are protected."