An 88-year-old woman has been struck off by her doctor for harassing him too much just days after her husband died.

Irene Hardiman, of East Drive, Brighton, was told she would no longer receive treatment at Elm Grove Surgery, the practice she has attended for 25 years, because staff were tired of being harassed.

Mrs Hardiman, who suffers from dementia, now has to find a new doctor.

Her son, Richard Hardiman, an agricultural specialist based in China, left his family behind in Beijing in order to sort out his mother's affairs after his 96-year-old father Jack died ten days ago.

He returned to England and attempted to secure a geriatric nurse for his mother and seek permission for a neighbour to cash her pension for her.

Both matters needed to be approved by her GP and Mr Hardiman was anxious they were sorted out as soon as possible because he plans to return to China today.

He got in contact with Dr Vince Chiang, who recently took over Elm Grove Surgery following the retirement of Mrs Hardiman's GP of many years. Mr Hardiman was forced to visit the clinic last week demanding Dr Chiang hand over the letter granting final approval for neighbour to cash the pension.

But Mrs Chiang, the practice manager, told him the surgery was tired of the harassment and would de-register Mr Hardiman's mother.

Mr Hardiman, 52, said: "I think it's uncouth and indecent to remove an old lady from a doctor's list shortly after she has been bereaved and at the time when she most needs treatment.

"It's horrific that GPs can do this without giving a proper reason."

He has since contacted East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority and the General Medical Council and is pressing ahead with a formal complaint.

A spokesman for the health authority said: "Mr Hardiman has been advised how to make a complaint. In the meantime, if Mr Hardiman cannot find a new doctor for his mother, then he can contact us and we will find one for her."

Mrs Chiang refused to comment.