A hospital has waved a reluctant farewell to a loyal nurse with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Lynne Lingwood, who has been a nurse for 44 years, has retired and is looking forward to buying a campervan and touring the UK and Europe with husband John.

Most recently a cancer research nurse, Mrs Lingwood joined the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn as a bank nurse in intensive care in 1985.

Her first name is Pauline but she picked up the nickname Lynne during her nurse training in Glasgow. It came about after a doctor misheard her name but it also helped distinguish her from another Pauline on the course.

In Scotland Mrs Lingwood was a general and district nurse and spent time in intensive care and midwifery departments.

Her 33 years at QEH also included spells in district nursing, care home inspecting, palliative care, practice nurse and rheumatology.

'Every one of those disciplines has been different and each one has brought me something new,' said Mrs Lingwood, 64, of Downham Market. 'I've got more out of nursing than it has got out of me. I got so much joy from the patients. I've thoroughly enjoyed my career but I've decided that now is the right time to enjoy retirement.'

QEH research lead Dr Antonia Hardcastle said: 'We will miss Lynne's energy,enthusiasm and cheerfulness in the department. With her long career came a huge amount of knowledge which has helped the research team flourish.'