VOLUNTEERS from the St John Ambulance service have celebrated 75 years of saving lives in Acomb.

St John Ambulance volunteers past and present and family of founding members of its Acomb Unit were joined at a charity dinner by the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Ian Gillies, and Sheriff of York, John Kenny.

Joining the civic party at the event were three of four former Acomb nursing cadet division volunteers - Maureen Bueters (nee Simpson), Anne Gebbie (nee Birch) and Rita Pickering (nee Simpson) - who met as young girls at the unit in 1953 and are still close friends today.

Brenda Banks, 82, the daughter of founding officer, Percy Jackson also joined the occasion.

Tim Fallows, the unit leader, of Acomb event services division, said: "It was incredibly important to recognise and celebrate the amazing contribution of our volunteers over the past 75 years in Acomb and York.

"They work selflessly to be the difference between life and death using their first aid skills at events across the local area.

"We wanted to bring as many people together as possible, past and present, to showcase their commitment to St John Ambulance.

"The Lord Mayor made many complimentary comments during his address to dinner guests and was pleased that he had the opportunity to express his personal thanks on the work of the Acomb Unit before departing for his next engagement.

"He was very proud of the way we supported the many prestigious events which regularly take place in York and concluded by wishing us all the best and for the next seventy-five years of service."

An auction was also held on the night, raising £1,000 for the charity.