Long-serving NHS staff in Norfolk, who have clocked up more than 550 years between them, have been honoured at an awards ceremony.

Committed workers for Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust received loyalty certificates at a board meeting on Wednesday.

A total of 18 staff members from the trust have hit milestones over the last year and were all invited to attend the meeting, where they received congratulations and thanks.

Sixteen have each clocked up more than 30 years service working for the health trust, or its predecessor organisations, while the other two have reached the 40 year landmark.

Clinical coding officer David Etchel and Christine Hawkins, modern matron at Priscilla Bacon Centre in Norwich have both surpassed the 40 year mark.

The staff receiving 30 years service certificates were; Norwich staff nurse Joanne Ainsworth, Debbie Beresford, adults safeguarding lead, Julie Bray, a nursing auxiliary at Dereham Hospital, Brenda Chaffe, a staff nurse in Norwich, Julie Cook, a staff nurse in Aylsham, Stewart Elliot, a staff nurse in east Norfolk, Lesley Etheridge, HR business partner, Roger Fiddy, head porter at Norwich Community Hospital, Susan Green, a nursing auxiliary in Cromer, Elisabeth Hooker, a clinical lead nurse in Norwich, Julie Lambert, a clinical lead nurse in Norwich, Stephen Lay, assistant team manager in Norwich, Carol Morton, a health visitor for Breckland, Margaret Parke, a community learning difficulties nurse in Norwich, Philippa Roache, a junior community nursing sister in Dereham and Brenda Stolworthy, a community assistant practitioner in Wroxham.

Michael Scott, chief executive of the NHS trust, said: 'The experience and expertise that they have built up over the last few decades is a real benefit to our patients, local communities, and our colleagues.'