A DOCTOR, who never lost a day's work through illness has left the town that was his home for more than 40 years.

Dr Oscar Lean has moved from Rushden, where he became one of the town's best known family doctors, to Devon, to live near his daughter.

Despite the fact he worked at small group practices in Park Road, Rushden and Irchester, he was an avid campaigner in the successful bid to get a medical centre for Rushden.

He retired soon after the town's practices were centralised in 1968.

A former colleague said: "During all the years I was in partnership with him he never lost one day due to illness.

"He was always regarded very highly and he took an active part in local medical politics. He was president of the BMA in Rushden and the Kettering Medical Society''.

Dr Lean and his wife, Mary, who was an urban district and county councillor, were regular worshippers at Rushden Parish Church.