A mother has been arrested on suspicion of murdering her bedridden daughter after caring for her for 17 years.

Nurse Kay Gilderdale, 54, was released on bail yesterday after being questioned by Sussex Police over the death of her daughter Lynn.

Miss Gilderdale, 31, who was a prominent campaigner for ME charities, was found dead at the home she shared with her mother in Stonegate, near Heathfield, on Thursday morning.

Her family said she had suffered almost constant pain since she contracted myalgic encephalomyelitis in a reaction to a BCG jab at school in 1992.

The previously lively 14-year-old was left bedridden, paralysed and unable to speak.

Neighbours and family members said Mrs Gilderdale was totally dedicated to her daughter and supported her continuously.

Police said a postmortem was being carried out yesterday and the cause of death had not yet been established. They said it was not violent and no weapons had been seized.

Officers said no other suspects were wanted in connection with the inquiry. They had been called to the house by Mrs Gilderdale.

Pauline Lester, a neighbour in Lymden Close, said: “Everyone here is really upset by what has happened.

This is a very friendly and close area.

“I hadn’t seen Lynn for some years but knew her.

Kay has been an absolutely wonderful mother.”

As a child, Miss Gilderdale had played clarinet and piano, won prizes for ballet, was school netball captain and part of a swimming and sailing club.

After contracting ME she was unable to continue with any of her interests.

She would often spend months in hospital.

She took up campaigning to educate people about the controversial condition, which many dismissed as “yuppie flu.”

Her efforts contributed towards drugs and care eventually being made available but only in the latter years of her life.

A joint statement was released yesterday on behalf of her mother, brother Steve and father Richard, a police civilian worker in Eastbourne.

They said Miss Gilderdale was a much loved daughter, granddaughter and sister and her death would leave a massive void in their lives.

The statement said: “Lynn was young, beautiful, loving and caring. She fought long and hard for 17 years with immense bravery, enduring constant pain and sickness.

“Every system of her body was affected. She required 24 hour care that was provided by her totally dedicated mother, with continuous support from her father.

“Prior to her illness, which left her paralysed, unable to speak, eat or drink, she was an active healthy teenager full of life’s dreams.

“Lynn strove to help the medical profession improve their insight into ME.

“Her dedicated mother, supported by her family, has pledged to achieve her ultimate goal – for better understanding and recognition of this life destroying illness.

“The love she gave so unreservedly will be missed every minute of the day.”

The family were members of the Sussex ME Society for many years.

Chairman Colin Barton said: “Lynn was one of the most severely affected cases. She was diagnosed at a time when little was known about the condition.”

Janice Kent, of ME charity reMEmber, said: “ME services are beginning to improve now but many families like Lynn’s had to go through years of neglect and a lack of help. It is exceptionally sad news.”

Mrs Gilderdale is due to return to answer bail on March 6. Chief Insp Heather Keating, of Sussex Police, said: “This is a very tragic incident.”