TAVISTOCK Hospital League of Friends this week held a cream tea to thank their hard working volunteers, who have manned the tea bar at the hospital for the past 15 years.

The event took place on Monday and provided the volunteers with a happy send off, as the tea bar finally shuts up shop.

Talking of the closure, Susan Wilkin, locality business manager at Tavistock Hospital, said: 'Unfortunately we had to provide drinks for people at all hours, but many of the volunteers couldn't come in at weekends or late at night.

'The cream tea is a way of saying a huge thank you to all the volunteers for their hard work and support over the years.'

Jack McFadden, Treasurer of Tavistock Hospital's League of Friends, added: 'The volunteers have done such a good job. We just want to show them how much their hard work is appreciated.'

The League of Friends have replaced the tea bar with a 24-hour hot drinks machine, enabling the charity to carry on making money from the sale of refreshments while also providing the patients and visitors with a good drinks service.

The charity works tirelessly all year round to raise money for the hospital.

Money raised has gone towards providing vital equipment, from wheelchairs to armchairs. So far this year, £50,000 has been earmarked against a new set of single sex showers as well as plenty of midwifery equipment.

The League of friends is entirely reliant on donations from the public as well as their fundraising efforts.

Anyone wishing to make a donation should contact Jack McFadden on 01822 612879.