Hundreds of people visited an exhibition at Kent and Canterbury Hospital marking the 60th anniversary of the NHS.

Life on a hospital ward in the 1940s was recreated. The event on Friday included a tea party and the cutting of a birthday cake by the Sheriff of Canterbury, Cllr Charlotte MacCaul.

She and Canterbury MP Julian Brazier were among hundreds of guests who visited the exhibition and enjoyed the party.

Among the exhibits were hundreds of old black and white photographs showing hospital life through the decades as well as old medical equipment and memorabilia.

Students from Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School sung war time songs while other volunteers dressed in period uniforms.

Event organiser Mandy Carliell said: “It was a wonderful afternoon and really capturered the spirit of the National Health Service through the decades.

“We managed to source a variety of fascinating artifacts including an original launch brochure for the service published on July 5, 1948. But what also shone out was how proud staff, both old and current, were to work for the NHS.

“I think that at a time the service sometimes gets talked down, it was a real morale booster for them.”

See this week’s Kentish Gazette, out on Thursday, for more on the NHS 60th anniversary, including people’s reminisences