A TEA-MAKING volunteer has poured his last cup at Kidderminster Hospital after calling time on his kettle duties - at the age of 88.

Tom Healey, of Crescent Road, Kidderminster, has stirred hundreds of thousands of brews in five successive decades in a generous voluntary career that was rewarded by Worcestershire County Council two years ago. Kidderminster Hospital's Mandy Pearce and Anne Osbourne pour a welcome cup of tea for retiring volunteer Tom Healey.

And he has now decided to take a well-earned rest - staff at the hospital have not seen the last of the popular kettle custodian as he will still be making his daily visits to the rehabilitation ward.

A spokeswoman said: "He's part of the hospital, really. He's poured his last cuppa but he'll still be coming in to see us."

Mr Healey began making tea at the hospital for a friend receiving treatment more than 30 years ago - and the habit stuck.

He has been visiting the hospital seven nights a week for about 14 years.

The Kidderminster-born pensioner, a former service manager for a vehicle repair firm, was singled out as an "unsung hero" in a county council awards scheme in 1999 which saw him chauffeured to a special service and awarded a package of mementoes including Worcester porcelain.