A WELL-known campaigner for the rights of people with learning difficulties has died.

Clare Moss, 38, lost her two-month fight against cancer on May 26.

Clare, who had mild learning difficulties, was born in Swindon and attended Sevenfields Primary and then Crowdy's Hill School.

After leaving school, she worked in a succession of temporary jobs.

It was during this time that she met her future husband Cliff, 42, whom she married eight years ago.

Her mother-in-law, Mary Moss explained: "Our son Cliff also has learning difficulties and was one of those responsible for helping to set up the Swindon People First Group.

"The group, which is based at the Health Hydro, aims to support people with learning difficulties.

"Clare became treasurer for the Swindon branch of the organisation and through the organisation has done a great deal to help adults with learning difficulties.

"She was a wonderful person. She was always jolly and full of life. She never had a bad word for anyone. She will be sadly missed. We are all deeply shocked and trying to come to terms with her death."

Clare was diagnosed with lung cancer and multiple brain tumours in March.

She underwent surgery at the Oxford John Radcliffe Hospital and had further treatment for her condition at Great Western Hospital.

As her condition grew worse, she was cared for at Church View nursing home where she died surrounded by her family and friends.

One of the nurses who cared for Clare was Macmillan Nurse Vanessa Davey, the clinical nurse specialist in palliative care at Great Western Hospital, who features as the face of the Evening Advertiser's Macmillan Cancer appeal.

Mary said: "The treatment Clare received was wonderful, both from the Macmillan Nurses and other nursing staff at the home. She was the youngest person to be cared for at the nursing home, so they really made a fuss of her."

Clare's funeral will be held tomorrow at Kingsdown Crematorium at 11.30am. Anyone wishing to pay their respects is invited to attend. Mourners will gather in the Stratton Bowls Club following the service.