A MEMBER of one of Craven's best known families is fighting for her life in a Nairobi hospital after falling from a camel during a holiday in Africa.

Janet Tempest has been unconscious since being admitted to hospital nine days ago. She is said to be in a critical but stable condition.

Her family - who own the 3,000-acre Broughton Hall estate - are by her side.

Mrs Tempest, 73, was on an African safari holiday with her husband, Henry.

The couple, who married in Africa 46 years ago, were accompanied by their son, Piers, and were enjoying a camel ride in Kenya when the accident happened last Wednesday.

Mrs Tempest was conscious after the initial fall but later collapsed and was airlifted to Nairobi General Hospital. She is believed to have multiple injuries.

Her son, Roger, who was on holiday in Australia at the time, rushed out to Africa as soon as he heard the news.

Daughters Anne and Bridget have also flown out to be with their mother.

Roger, who now runs the estate, has been phoning friends and staff at Broughton Hall to keep people informed of his mother's condition.

Wendy Bateson, press officer for Broughton Hall, said: "Roger rings everyday. He said she could not be in a better place. The hospital staff have been absolutely marvellous.

"She really is getting the best treatment and the staff are doing the best they possibly can - she is in good hands."

Mrs Tempest is a well-known public figure and is a tireless charity worker.

She has run a clothing bank at Broughton Hall since 1975, sending the clothes to the impoverished in Kolkata and Eastern Europe.

But she is probably best known for her associations with the charity set up by the late Mother Teresa.

Last October she flew to Rome to attend Mother Teresa's beatification ceremony in St Peter's Square.

And during the first Gulf War, she stayed with Mother Teresa at a time when most volunteers at her home for the terminally ill were leaving through fear of political uncertainty.

Mrs Tempest has been a devout Catholic since her childhood. Indeed the Tempests are one of the leading Catholic families in the country.

They can trace their origins back to 1098 and have been in Craven for more than 900 years.

Broughton Hall is renowned for hosting charity events and social occasion.

In 1997, Mr and Mrs Tempest celebrated their ruby wedding anniversary with a pre-1900 fancy dress ball. Mr Tempest wore the high sheriff's uniform last used in 1838 by his grandfather's uncle, Sir Robert Tempest.

It was also the year that Broughton Hall celebrated its 400th anniversary and more than 600 guests arrived for the celebrations.

Members of the community have been shaken by the news of Mrs Tempest's accident.

Her co-workers from the Mother Teresa charity are praying for her recovery and the hall has received many calls from concerned friends and relatives.

Prayers have also been said for her at St Stephen's Church, Skipton, which was built by the Tempest family.