Champneys owner Dorothy Purdew dies aged 91

Dorothy Purdew OBE, the owner and chairperson of spa chain Champneys, has died aged 91.

Purdew started her first business, WeightGuard with just £60 and later purchased her first health farm, Frimleys in 1978.

With her son Stephen, she went on to buy Henlow Grange, Springs Health Farm, Forest Mere, and finally Champneys in 2002.

Growing considerably, the Purdew family has guided the business to success. Today, Champneys is valued at more than £300 million.

With four resorts, Champneys also operates three city spas, an International College of Health and Beauty, and sells a range of globally recognised products.

Its clients over the years have included Naomi Campbell, Kylie Minogue, Judi Dench, Daniel Craig and Brad Pitt, amongst others.

Purdew's services to the spa industry and charity works gained her the accolade of OBE in 2008.

A spokesperson told the BBC: "It is with great sadness, that we announce the death of our owner and chairperson.

"Dorothy could never believe a girl from a working-class background could become one of the world's most influential spa operators. Champneys became her life."