Residents and staff at Alex Lyon House Sheltered Housing scheme have celebrated the work of one of City of York Council’s longest serving carers.

Pat Mercer has cared for older people across the city for 36 years, working as a home carer for the council, and latterly as a warden at Alex Lyon House, in Tang Hall.

Residents at the centre held a party for Pat this week to celebrate her achievement and wish her well in her retirement.

Pat’s daughter, Chris Wardell, who, along with her sister, Lynn Franks, is also a home carer, said: “Mum has always loved caring for people, even from when she was a young girl. “Although she’s retiring, she’s already offered to help some older people who live near her, so I can’t see her putting her feet up for a while yet. I’m so pleased that the residents at Alex Lyon are as proud of her as we are.”