Crowds came out in an ‘overwhelming’ show of support for the NHS as it marked its 70th anniversary.

After a lively procession through Bridport’s market streets accompanied by a nine-foot skeleton, people queued in Bucky Doo Square to sign a giant birthday card thanking the NHS and its staff of the past and the present.

A folk band playing live on the day led the crowd in a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’, before shoppers were treated to a performance of a play about the NHS by the Cartoon Action Theatre.

Those at the event were keen to share personal stories about what the NHS means to them. This included a story from one woman who, at the age of 10, contracted TB when the NHS was established in 1948 - just in time to save her life.

The event was organised by Bridport and District Labour Party. A spokesman for the group said: “Celebrations were met with overwhelming support. The carnival atmosphere showed just how much people are unified by their love and appreciation of the NHS and its staff.”

The giant birthday card was passed on to the Dorchester branch for members to collect signatures at the NHS70 Birthday Bash Family Fun Day at Dorchester Cricket Club on Sunday, July 8.

The card will be delivered to staff at Dorchester County Hospital next week.

Elsewhere, a tea party was held at Bridport Community Hospital to mark the milestone.

Heather Purse, chairman of Friends of Bridport Hospital, said: “I don’t know what we’d do without the NHS. It’s so good to have treatment at the point of contact - it’s an absolutely marvellous service.”

On July 5, 1948, the NHS was launched by the then Health Secretary, Aneurin Bevan, at Park Hospital in Manchester.

Over the past 70 years, the NHS has transformed the health and wellbeing of the nation delivered huge medical advances and improvements to public health.