A TANKARD, fisherman's chair and a certificate were awarded to St John Ambulance member Bob Elvins on Monday night to celebrate 40 years service.

Members of the town's brigade and the commander Marshall Garner gathered at Evesham Community Hospital for a surprise party for Bob.

Emily Smith, brigade member who helped organise the party, said: "We just wanted to recognise his 40 years of service and we decided to this in the form of a party and presentation.

"I think I can say on behalf of everyone that he is a valued and committed member. He is such a generous man. We presented him with his own fisherman's chair, because that's what we all sit on when we're attending events but he didn't keep it for himself, he just said put it in the ambulance so everyone can use it. That's the sort of person he is."

Bob joined Evesham St John Ambulance in 1956. In 1980 he was made Serving Brother and in 2004 Officer Brother. So far to date, he has clocked up 13,503 hours of service.

"His main duties include driving the ambulance and he attends car racing, gymkhana and scrambles too," Emily added.

"We have never known him to refuse any duties, we've even known him to cut his holiday short to fulfil duties. We got him a big cake as well as his award for long service and now we're looking to get even more members like Bob to join up."

If anyone would like to find out more about joining St John Ambulance, contact Emily on 07900 548957.