HOSPITAL staff and volunteers gathered in Dorchester for an event celebrating dedicated long service and achievements.

Colleagues, family, friends and representatives from Dorset County Hospital Foundation trust came together for the annual staff award presentations.

They were joined by members of the Foundation Trust Members' Council for the awards in the hospital's Damers Restaurant to celebrate staff receiving individual and team awards as well as long service awards for 15 and 30 years.

Trust chairman Robin SeQueira, who presented the awards, paid tribute to the staff receiving awards for their many years of commitment and hard work.

He said: "The Trust awards were introduced to give an opportunity for staff to nominate their work colleagues, and that is the strength of the awards.

"They are not based on a decision that managers have made - it is about staff recognising colleagues who have given outstanding service over and above the call of duty.

"A panel has to make a final judgement on the winners of the awards, but really, everyone who is nominated for an award is a winner."

Awards were awarded in the following categories: Trust Individual Awards - Winners: Jan Negus; Janet Potts. Highly Commended: Deirdre Hind; Janet Johns.

Outstanding Educational Achievement Award: Nicola Collinson.

Volunteer Award: Maeve Wilkinson.

Trust Team Awards: Short Stay Unit and Surgical Admissions Lounge; Department of Audiology and Hearing Therapy. Long Service Awards - 30 Years: Lynne Nash; Karine Litton; Judith Venton; Pauline Matthews; Kim Greening; Hilary Jury; Doris Simons; Sandra Coleman; Vivenne Drudge; Anne Pinder.

Long Service Awards - 15 Years: Hugh Priestley; Jane Hopcraft; Cheryl Trigg; Brenda O'Connell; Kim Drage; Nicola Tutton; Kevin Loader; Hugh Bellis; Shelley McIndoe; Stephanie Andrews; Lita Greening; Serena Baker; Sarah Burrows; Tracy Turnbull; Susan Dunster; Susan Mott; Victoria Budden; Sally Burnham; Caroline Ennals; Elaine Cheeseman; Geraldine Snyder; Shirley Johnson; Andrea Miller; June Eames; Gail Hayes; Rita Attwooll; Carol Davis; Lynda Parker; Carolyn Thorne; Julie Lawes; Lisa Cosh; Elaine Wisbey; Ian Dabbs; Elaine Whitby; Michelle Broadbent.