I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest thanks, via your letters page, to the staff at the Pershore Cottage Hospital.

I am 87 years of age and just had a knee replacement operation and in order to help me get back on my feet before going home to my husband who is 93 and not too agile himself, I spent ten days there.

What a wonderful place it is from the management to the workforce.

The nurses were so kind and helpful with a wonderful sense of humour and the Physiotherapy Department worked wonders helping me to go from a few steps a day with someone with me, to walking around on your own.

For the sake of all the people in a similar position to myself or in need of a place to recuperate I hope they never succeed in closing the Cottage Hospital down and that it goes from strength to strength.

I personally cannot speak too highly of it and wish them all the luck in the World. From a grateful patient.

Gladys Cooper, Newlands, Pershore.