A MEMORIAL service is being planned to pay tribute to the head of Bolton's health watchdog who has died during childbirth aged just 34.

Jenny Crabb had been the chief officer of Bolton Community Health Council (CHC) -- described as the "the patient's voice" within the NHS -- for six years.

Already a mother of a two-year-old daughter, she died during a Caesarean section operation at a Manchester hospital earlier this month. Her baby daughter survived.

Mike Crabb, Ms Crabb's twin brother, spoke movingly about his sister's sunny character.

He said: "The thing I will always remember about her is her smile. She wanted to be someone who brought happiness into other people's lives.

"She was a very concerned person who was always aware of the feelings of people around her. You really couldn't wish to meet a nicer person. This is just tragic."

Her professional achievements include helping set up the Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health Partnership.

She also played a key role in Casualty Watch, an annual investigation of waiting list times at accident and emergency units, and organised surveys of patients' views which highlighted complaints to be examined by senior NHS managers.

And with community health councils nationwide being phased out in September as part of a Government shake-up, Ms Crabb had also been involved in the handover to the patients' forum which will replace it.

Mr Crabb said that outside work she loved spending time with husband Carl and her family, walking, and socialising with her many friends.

Preparations are under way to organise a memorial service to commemorate her life and work for the health council.

Those who worked closely with Ms Crabb have told of their admiration for her and their shock at her sudden death.

Community health council chairman John Seddon said: "Jenny was a highly respected colleague and a close friend.

"She was an outgoing person who took real interest in people and would always help if she could.

"She will be sorely missed by CHC members, her work colleagues and the people of Bolton."

Pam Senior, chairman of Bolton Primary Care Trust, said: "Jenny's sudden death was a tragic loss to the Bolton health community and a cause of great personal sadness to all who knew her.

"She was a hard-working and enthusiastic colleague who made a tremendous contribution to the work of improving health and social care for Bolton people.

"Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jenny's family -- they've been very much in our thoughts over the past few weeks."

A statement from Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We were all very saddened to hear of Jenny Crabb's untimely death.

"As chief officer of Bolton Community Health Council, many members of staff at the hospital knew Jenny and always found her to be fair and supportive of the hospital."

Before joining Bolton CHC, Ms Crabb worked for its South Manchester equivalent. She died on March 4.

The estimated risk of a woman dying in natural childbirth is around one in 10,000. This is four times higher -- around one in 2,500 -- for someone having a Caesarean section.