TRIBUTES were paid this week to the much-loved and respected doctor Kay Flanagan, a pillar of the community who for 30 years was the general practitioner for Bourne End and Wooburn Green.

The doctor, who lived in Station Road, Bourne End, died two weeks ago at the age of 79, after a short illness.

Her funeral on Monday in St Dunstan's Church, Cores End Road, saw the pews packed as dozens of friends and family members of the popular, retired doctor, remembered her life.

Doctor Peter Havelock, who was Kay's general practice partner from 1971 until her retirement in 1988, gave a moving eulogy during the service.

In his speech he said: "Her life was one of giving to so many people in so many circumstances and all of us here and so many more have been the recipients of her love and care."

Looking back on her career, he recalled how Dr Flanagan came to Bourne End in 1954 as an assistant to Dr Selbourne Bailey. Throughout her time as a GP Dr Flanagan helped to develop the first computerised practice in Buckinghamshire and became a mentor to many of the people she worked with.Her good friend and former GP partner Dr Lesley Lee, who now lives in Northumberland, said after the funeral: "I am deeply grateful to have known her. She was my mentor."

As well as being dedicated to her job, Dr Flanagan was a devoted aunt and great aunt to her seven nephews and nieces and 14 great nephews and nieces. Dr Havelock said: "To them she has been a source of comfort and wisdom together with, that other very private side of her, her dry sense of humour and her sense of fun and laughter."

Dr Flanagan was actively involved in several charities, including The Wooburn and Bourne End District Relief Fund and the Wooburn Scrubland Charity. She also established the Bourne End Day Centre, with the late councillor Dinnie Hawthorne.