Concern for Diana's mother

Frances Shand Kydd, mother of the late Princess Diana, was said to be "on the mend" in hospital today after falling ill at home.

One newspaper reported that she was suffering from an incurable brain disease and that her condition had deteriorated.

Hospital sources were quoted as saying staff were "concerned" about her condition.

The frail Mrs Shand Kydd has rarely been seen in recent weeks outside her remote home.

When she has ventured out, she has always been in a wheelchair and accompanied by a helper. She uses a walking frame to get around inside her house. One resident in her home town said: "The deterioration in her health has been quite dramatic over the last year. Everyone has noticed it.

"One day she seemed to be quite spry and able with her walking stick. The next, she was in a wheelchair unable to get about. Anyone who knew her before is shocked when they meet her."

However, her priest, who has seen her in hospital several times, said the 68-year-old devout Catholic, was "on the mend".

Father William McLean said he hoped Mrs Shand Kydd would soon be well enough to be released from hospital.

He said: "She's all right, she's on the mend. I have her spiritual needs at heart and as a member of the Catholic community of Oban she is a valued parishioner.

"The whole community has her wellbeing at heart."

Her son, Earl Spencer, visited her last night with his sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale and the pair left the

hospital shortly after 7pm. Family members have repeatedly appealed to Mrs Shand Kydd to move from her isolated home on Seil.

But she has insisted on staying there, even though her condition means that she is reportedly struggling to walk or speak.

She regularly attends mass at St Columba's Cathedral in Oban and has previously told how her faith helped her to deal with the grief of her daughter's death.

Mrs Shand Kydd was taken on Friday from her home on Seil Island to Lorn and Islands District Hospital on Oban.

A spokesman for Lorn and Islands District Hospital refused to comment on her condition.