I WAS sad to hear of the death of Diane Lewis (Gazette, January 23).

I joined the porcelain flower-making department at Royal Worcester in my teens when Diane was the head of the department.

She was a strict task master but taught us well.

I also made flowers for the Dorothy Doughty series, some of which were pretty difficult. When I left the porcelain I also worked for Boehm for a short time before working for Claremont Fine China in Lower Howsell Road, also run by an ex-porcelain worker.

It is so sad that not many of these places exist any more.

I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to Diane's family.

Pat Wells

Malvern Link