Picture: The 1969 British Women's Team - From the left: Sandra Landy, Dorothy Shanahan, Jane Priday, Alan Hiron (Captain) Joan Durran, Fritzi Gordon, Rixi Markus

Dorothy Shanahan, who has died aged 91, was, for three decades, part of British women's teams recording the most successful haul of medals for the nation.

Miss Shanahan was in the team that won the World Olympiad gold in 1964 and the European gold medal in 1961, 1963 and 1966. The team took silver in 1957, 1965 and 1969 and bronze in 1955, 1967 and 1973, Shanahan's last appearance for her country.

In addition to playing in women's bridge, mostly partnering the late Dimmie Fleming, Miss Shanahan also partnered bridge author, the late Maurice Harrison-Gray where she featured in his stories under the  pseudonym, The Dormouse.

Her diminutive stature and quiet personality was in strong contrast to her better known team-mates Rixi Markus and Fritzi Gordon.