NURSES, midwives and physiotherapists have all been rewarded for their long service in the NHS.

Eighty four members of staff from York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, who have clocked up more than 2,300 years of service between them, were honoured during a ceremony at the Monk Bar Hotel in York.

Chief Executive Patrick Crowley paid tribute to the dedicated staff, including Lynn Fitzharris, who has spent 44 years working for the NHS.

Ms Fitzharris, a leader in infant feeding, was the longest serving colleague to be celebrated on the night and was presented with flowers by Mr Crowley.

Paul Mayor, deputy directorate manager, also celebrated 40 years - 29 of which have been with the Trust.

Mr Mayor joined the York School of Nursing as a student in 1980 and has worked in a variety of roles, including as the manager of Selby War Memorial Hospital.

He said: “I don’t know where the last 40 years have gone.

“Starting as a student all those years ago and then becoming a deputy directorate manager has given me a great sense of achievement.

“I am extremely proud to be part of the NHS and the work we do.”

Mr Crowley said: “These awards recognise outstanding commitment to duty and I would like to congratulate and thank each recipient for their valuable years of service.

“These awards offer us a great opportunity to recognise the tremendous achievements of staff from all areas of the organisation including those working in our clinical, non-clinical and in the community.

“Our staff are without doubt our greatest asset and work extremely hard to provide the very best possible care to our patients.

“Each and every one of them is a credit to our service and the public they serve.”

A similar event will be hosted in Scarborough in July, where a further 36 staff will be recognised.