A PRIVATE hospital has celebrated its 30th birthday.

Spire Cheshire Hospital, in Stretton, first opened its doors on September 4 1988 and has since cared for thousands of patients.

And three decades of healthcare were celebrated with a birthday party at the Fir Tree Close hospital - which was formerly known as Bupa North Cheshire Hospital until it was renamed in 2007 - on Tuesday, September 4.

Hospital director Andrew Johnson said: “Today is a special milestone for our hospital, especially for a number of our long-serving staff and consultants who have been with us since opening in 1988.”