THE death has been announced of Dr David Gorst, a consultant haematologist with the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust. Dr Gorst lived in Arnside.

Dr David Telford, consultant microbiologist and associate medical director, said: "Dr David Gorst's untimely death is a sad loss to the trust.

"He was consultant haematologist in Lancaster and Kendal for 25 years and during that time he earned considerable affection and respect from patients and staff. He had not yet reached 60 but had retired from haematology in 2005 to help develop our new medical school where he particularly enjoyed teaching the students.

"Those who knew David will pay testimony to his humanity and concern for his patients. He was hard-working, conscientious and disciplined, and his colleagues always knew that requests for help or advice would not go unheeded."

Dr Telford said Dr Gorst was highly regarded well outside the area, because of his research interests and his work on various committees at the Department of Health. He played an active role in fund-raising for both St John's Hospice and the Macmillan unit at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary. Dr Gorst and his wife, Pat, liked to spend time at their house in Scotland. Most of all he delighted in his family and grandchildren.