FOOTBALL legend Sandy Jardine offered his condolences to a former Rangers player whose wife was killed in a freak wasp swarm attack.

The ex-Scotland international said he was shocked to hear that retired footballer George Duncan’s wife had died in such horrible circumstances.

Janette Duncan is believed to have suffered an anaphylactic reaction to the numerous stings she received when the couple went for a stroll near their home in Chelmsford.

Mr Duncan, an Ibrox first team player between 1957 and 1960, has made a full recovery following the attack, but his daughter Amanda Moore said he had been left devastated. He has been receiving treatment for a brain tumour and his wife had been his main carer during his illness.

Former Rangers defender Mr Jardine said: “This is truly shocking news and our thoughts are with George and his family at this difficult time.

“I was with John Greig when I heard of this tragedy and he remembers George fondly.

“On behalf of everyone at Rangers Football Club, we send our sincere condolences.”

The couple, both 74, were on their way to Galleywood Social Club when the tragedy took place at around 1pm on Sunday.

A wasps’ nest in a nearby garden was disturbed and the swarm quickly surrounded the pair as Mrs Duncan screamed for help. An ambulance was called and paramedics fought for 45 minutes to save the pensioner.

Ms Moore, also from Chelmsford, said: “Mum and dad were just going to meet some friends and as they walked past a bush, someone aggravated a wasps’ nest and the wasps all came out.

“They think that mum suffered some kind of anaphylactic reaction but it hasn’t been confirmed yet. It’s with the coroner just now.”

Mrs Moore added that the family, especially Mr Duncan, are struggling to adjust to the death.

She said: “We’re all just really shocked. Dad’s not very good, he’s not well, he’s been left devastated. It’s just not right that it happened to mum.

“She was such a lovely person, very, very kind. She was a devoted wife to my dad. He’s been receiving treatment for a brain tumour and my mum has been looking after him. She was his main carer.

“Mum was just a lovely wee Scottish woman, very elegant, and she loved her family very much, especially her two grandchildren Ryan, who’s 12, and Cameron, who’s eight.

“She was just Nan to them and they’re also devastated they’ve lost her. It’s just so unfair.”

Mrs Moore added many relatives and friends from Scotland and throughout England are already planning to attend her mother’s funeral.

However, she said it may be some time before the coroner completes the investigation into her death.

Family friend Anthony Butcher, who played with Mr Duncan during his time at Chelmsford City Football Club, said the couple were very popular with other players and their wives.

He said he was a good friend of Mr Duncan. He added: “He’s a lovely guy and Jan was very special. It’s such a tragedy this has happened to them.

“Jan had been taking care of George because he’s been ill and all the old players have been up to see them, they were really popular at the club.

“I got a phone call on Sunday night and I actually thought I was going to be told it was George because he’s been so ill -- it was a total shock to find out it was Jan.”

Following the incident, police closed the road and ordered residents to stay in their homes in a bid to avoid further attacks. A specialist team from the local council were also brought in to remove the nest and fumigate the surrounding hedges.