STAFF at Royal Bolton Hospital have been helping a colleague mark a very big milestone after discovery she had reached 50 years of service.

Health care assistant Francies Grundy, aged 75, has been caring for others since she was a young girl.

Born to a family of nine children in County Down, Ireland, she helped look after her siblings and also helped her mother to care for an elderly neighbour in their village.

After leaving school and getting a job in the sewing industry, she moved to Leigh, where she met her husband, Keith.

Mrs Grundy started her first shift at Hulton Hospital, in Bolton, at 8pm on Sunday, September 18, 1966.

At the time the grandmother-of-two said she was just pleased to have a job that would help her support her family, as they had recently had their son Philip.

Getting the bus to her first shift that night, the dedicated health professional had no idea that she would still be doing so 50 years later, or that she would still have her uniform.

Mrs Grundy worked at Hulton Hospital until it was demolished in 2003, when she came to work at Royal Bolton Hospital.

When asked what her career highlight had been, she said: “I just love it. I love looking after elderly people.

“I loved working at Hulton Hospital so much I’ve still got a piece of slate from the old hospital in my garden as a memento.”

Throughout her time in Bolton, Mrs Grundy said she has seen a lot of change in the health care system, though she’s always enjoyed her job.

She added: “I’m not bragging when I say that I’ve never once moaned about coming to work.”

To mark the big work anniversary she was presented with a floral bouquet from Chief Executive, Jackie Bene.

When asked how she stays young, Mrs Grundy put it down to rock n roll dancing with her husband, and her love of work.

Mrs Grundy also plans to keep on at her work “for as long as this keeps going”, touching her heart.

“I’m not finishing yet,” she adds.