VOLUNTEERS past and present will gather to celebrate 50 years of St John Ambulance providing first aid in rural Worcestershire next month.

They will mark the golden anniversary of the charity’s Pershore unit at Pershore Riverside Centre, King George's Way in Pershore from 6.30pm on Thursday, October 12.

The town’s unit manager, Tomas Davies said: "Our unit was formed on October 17, 1967 with 17 volunteers.

"Today we’ve got around 30 volunteers, who have already provided just under 2,500 hours of voluntary service to Pershore and the surrounding area so far this year."

Based at the Riverside Centre, the unit meets every Thursday night to train and plan upcoming activities.

"Pershore has adult first aiders, nurses, technicians and a paramedic, alongside our St John Ambulance cadets who are aged from 10 to 17," added Mr Davies.

"Together, we provide first aid cover for local events such as the Pershore Jazz Festival, concerts, rugby fixtures, cricket matches and more – just as we have for five decades.

"We would like anyone who has volunteered with St John Ambulance over the last 50 years to join us for our celebrations and see us into our next half century."

Anyone who would like to attend should RSVP to pershore50@sja.org.uk.