Staff at Medway Maritime hospital celebrated their birthday with a tea party.

As part of the NHS Big70tea celebrations, a range of cakes were baked by doctors, nurses, office based staff and volunteers for the occasion.

Asda in Gillingham Pier donated decorations and other commemorative gifts for the day.

Speaking on the day of celebrations, NHS chief executive Simon Stevens sent a message of thanks to staff for their work in making the service a success over the years.

Mr Stevens said:”It's a time for celebration looking back over seven decades, when we're all living a lot longer and healthier - more than 10 years extra. We should use this moment to say a heartfelt thank you to the 1.5million staff of the National Health Service for everything you do for all of us and for our families, day-in day-out.’’

MP for Rochester and Strood, Kelly Tolhurst, also paid tribute to the service. In 2014 she underwent emergency surgery for a twisted bowel.

She said: "The procedure was done expertly and my treatment by staff both before and after was world class. All have similar stories of receiving quality care from our NHS, whether it be for yourself or your friends and family.

"I am pleased that, to help celebrate, extra support has been added with a funding boost of £20 billion over the coming years. In Medway, it is ever more important that local health services are able to keep up its good work and this is being aided by a new A&E at Medway Maritime Hospital and a multimillion pound boost to help some of our GPs with new healthy living centres in Chatham and Strood.

"Of course there is more we can do to support our NHS and the hugely valuable doctors, nurses and staff who make it work, but I must also add that there is never any plan to drop support or remove free access. Being free at the point of entry is crucial for the millions who use the NHS and there is no reason this will change."

Tomorrow, the hospital is hosting a summer fair which will include performances from Razzmatazz Medway Theatre School, Bollywood groups and a summer raffle.

Artwork of local schools will be on display and the public is being encouraged to enter the Great NHS Birthday Bake off competition.

The Fair will be open from 11am to 3pm with free admission and free parking during this time, and takes place at Medway Maritime Hospital, Windmill Road, Gillingham, ME7 5NY.

All proceeds from the Fair will go towards The Medway Hospital Charity.