A woman who became one of the first to be ordained a Methodist minister has died.

Beryl Dean, 72, who died in Manorlands hospice at Oxenhope after a two-year battle with cancer, joined the ministry when women were first allowed, in 1979.

For the previous 20 years she had been a deaconess, the only position a woman could hold until that time.

Miss Dean, who lived in Steeton, died on Sunday surrounded by friends.

During her career she had worked throughout West Yorkshire, including at Eastbrook Hall in Bradford and as an army chaplain.

After her retirement in 1994 she served for five years as a part-time free church chaplain at Airedale General Hospital. From 1999 until she became ill in 2004, she was part-time minister at Steeton Methodist Church.

Her friend Moira Hutchison, of Keighley, who was one of those at Miss Dean's bedside when she died, said: "Beryl was a woman of great faith and very strong character. The way she fought her illness has been an inspiration to us all."

Superintendent Minister, the Reverend Jacky Hale, of Silsden, said: "Beryl had an ecumenical view of her faith. She viewed herself as much as a Christian as a Methodist."

Miss Dean was secretary of Keighley Soroptimists when she died. She had been a member for more than four years.

Her funeral is on Friday at 1pm at Silsden Methodist Church.

e-mail: clive.white@bradford.newsquest.co.uk