A former nurse who has spent 27 years supporting the elderly in Wymondham has retired from the town's day care centre.

Sallie Colk was presented with flowers, cakes, an eBook and a collection of �220 by friends and centre visitors as she waved goodbye to colleagues during a special party last Wednesday, which also marked tomorrow's Royal Wedding.

Mrs Colk, who lives in Glengarry Close, Hethersett, took over as the organiser of the centre in Town Green in 1984.

In her time she has seen the centre expand from opening two days to three days a week and become one of the longest running voluntary facilities in the county.

It provides up to 75 visitors a week with the chance to socially interact with new people and enjoy hot meals.

Mrs Colk, who also celebrated her 65th birthday last Thursday, has thrown herself into all aspects of running the centre from organising day trips to the coast to even driving the bus which got them there.

'That's how I have always done it if I've seen that there is a job to be done.

'I've never seen it as a job, it's more a way of life,' she said.

She added that it had been a rewarding 27 years.

'When you have new ones come in who have probably been at home and socially isolated until someone has picked up on it we find they are very subdued, lack conversation and they are very reluctant to join in with things but then they blossom. It's lovely,' she said.

Mrs Colk trained as a nurse in London and ended up working at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

She gave up her job to have children and took up voluntary work before arriving at the centre.

On her decision to leave, she said: 'The way we are going to be funded is changing and I felt rather then take on board all these changes at 65, and after 27 years, I would have a bit of me time.'

Mrs Colk will remain on the centre's management committee.