AFTER 14 years of continuous service a much-loved housekeeper has decided to hang up her duster.

Barbara Hutson had been the housekeeper at St Thomas Care Home, in South View for more than a decade.

As a way to send her off in style, staff and resident at the home threw Barbara a goodbye party with many people sharing their fond memories with her.

General manager at St Thomas, Helena Hawkins, said: “Barbara is one of those people who was born to care for others – she has such a huge heart and was greatly loved by the individuals living at St Thomas Care Home.

She was an inspiration to her colleagues, and we will all miss her. We wish her all the best.”

During her 14 years at the facility Barbara has been a big part of the care homes housekeeping team, working her way up to head of housekeeping.

However, she stepped down from this role a couple of years ago but remained a pivotal member of the housekeeping team until she recently announced that she would be retiring.

She said: “St Thomas is like a family to me and though I’m looking forward to retirement, I’m really going to miss everyone here so much.”