Lady Thatcher has surgery on arm

Former prime minister Lady Thatcher is recovering after routine surgery and will remain in hospital until next week, her son Sir Mark has said.

She has been in hospital since breaking her arm a week ago and had a pin inserted to assist the healing process.

Sir Mark said: "We are all absolutely delighted ... and also extremely relieved that it has gone so well."

Lady Thatcher, 83, is not expected to leave Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in central London for days, he said.

Sir Mark praised the medical team at the hospital for doing a "fantastic job".

He added that his sister Carol had had an eye operation this week but had been able to visit on Thursday and was also very relieved about the outcome.

Baroness Thatcher was British prime minister from 1979 to 1990

Health problems

He said: "Depending upon how recovery goes generally I would hope my mother could go home at the earliest convenience but she wants to go home as early as possible - but then of course that's in the hands of the people charged with her aftercare."

He said his mother would "probably be going back to the ward this evening" after her operation.

Baroness Thatcher has become increasingly frail in recent years and has suffered a number of minor strokes.

Carol Thatcher has also spoken about her mother's struggle with dementia.

In March last year Baroness Thatcher spent the night in hospital after feeling unwell while having dinner with friends.

Ill health forced her to abandon her regular public speaking engagements in 2002 but she still makes public appearances.

Last week she was at the Carlton Club in London to mark the 30th anniversary of the election victory which made her prime minister, a post she held for 11 years.

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