A CRICKET-mad nurse is getting ready to put her feet up after 25 years in the profession.

Sixty-three-year-old Sheila Tapping, of Northwick Road, Worcester, hung up her uniform for the last time on Friday, after 12 years as a practice nurse with Thorneloe Lodge Surgery, Barbourne Road, Worcester.

The mother-of-two, whose husband Roger works at Adrian Hutt Architects on Worcester's London Road, began her nurse training at Worcester Royal Infiriary in 1978, and was there until 1982.

She then became a district nurse for 10 years before starting at the Thorneloe Lodge Surgery.

During her time there she was behind the surgery's annual flu vaccination programme - giving about 17,000 flu injections to patients.

Last week staff at the surgery presented her with a certificate of service and various presents including gardening vouchers, flowers - and two paintings of Worcester cricket ground by artist David Birtwistle.

Now the keen gardener and cricket fan - who has been a member of Worcestershire County Cricket Club for 12 years, is looking forward to spending more time on her passions.

"I'm looking forward to the future and I'm keen to spend summer in the garden with the cricket and travel in winter," she said.