A former head teacher who set up Pakistan's first university college for women has had a book published about her life.

Sister Mary Alban was head teacher of St Philomena's School in Carshalton in the 1930s before she went to run a school in India during World War II, and to found a Catholic college in newly-independent Pakistan.

Now former St Philomena's pupil Joanna Bogle, 57, has written a book about Sister Alban's life.

Mrs Bogle was contacted by Sister Alban's family who asked her to research their relative and turn her life into a book – A Nun with a Difference.

The college founded by Sister Alban is still open today - in fact former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto was a student.

Mrs Bogle said: “It's a remarkable achievement. She got the funding to do it while the country was in a very difficult political situation. The college is still thriving today.

“She did it so women could have an education. She really helped women's education. She had very high academic standards. I think she would be very disappointed at the standards in some schools today.”

When Sister Alban took over St Philomena's the 1930s she expanded the school, arranged for it to merge with St Joseph’s, a girls’ day school which was also run by the nuns on the same site, and started to establish a core curriculum and get good results in public examinations.

Mrs Bogle said: “She was not headmistress in my day – she had left the school before I was even born, let alone a pupil there. But she was already a legend. She really created the school in its modern form.

“I have found it fascinating, and I believe she made a great contribution to the community."

Mrs Bogle would like to hear from anyone who remembers Sister Alban. If you knew Sister Alban or would like to purchase the book call 01983 291115.