A NURSE has bid a fond farewell to the Latchford practice she has served for more than 24 years.

Sister Mary-Anne Day has been based as practice nurse at Latchford Medical Centre since 1990.

And on Wednesday she said goodbye to the community - who turned out in their dozens to see her off.

Mary-Anne said: “My last day was absolutely fantastic.

“The outpouring of thanks has been amazing. I have had over 100 cards and I’m privileged to work in such a wonderful community and how fantastic the people of Latchford and the surrounding area have been.

“I could open a florist at the moment with the amount of flowers I have been given.”

On her final day she ordered cupcakes to say goodbye from one of her patients - Pat Iddon who runs Sunshine Catering - and she would not accept any money.

Mary-Anne, who lives in Wirral, trained in London and has spent 38 years as a nurse.

She worked at Hope Hospital as an A&E sister before moving to Latchford.

Over the years she has seen the population grow in the area and healthcare change.

But the basics were always paramount to her work.

“We always fit people in,” added Mary-Anne. “We could grab them at the desk and that to me is what nursing is about.”

Mary-Anne now plans to spend some time travelling.

But it will not be long before she is back through the door much to the delight of her colleagues and more importantly patients.

Mary-Anne Day said: “My son said I should buy a little house in Latchford so I can still see everyone. But I won’t need to do that.

“They have asked me to go back and do a couple of sessions so I will be able to see everyone again.”