Frank Stocks, one of Kent’s first paramedics, has retired from the ambulance service after 40 years dedicated service.

He joined London Ambulance Service in 1968 and transferred to the Thanet station in 1970, where he worked as a technician and undertook a national self-funded training programme to qualify as a paramedic, studying at Brighton and Oxford.

Under the supervision of local accident and emergency consultants, Frank became the 47th paramedic in the UK and one of two to first serve Kent in 1982.

Frank became well-known around Thanet by talking to local groups and helping to raise funds to buy equipment for local ambulances.

With the help of many local groups and support from the British Heart Foundation, the first defibrillator machine and supporting equipment was made available in 1984.

Frank has progressed within the service, but looks back on those early days with fond memories of the tremendous support the public showed at the time.

He said: "Thankfully those days are long gone when we had to pay for our own training, and had to hold raffles to buy equipment for the ambulances - the training and equipment given to staff in the service today is second to none.

"The service has come a long way and has a very highly trained and professional team today.”

Having spent most of his career in the front line, Frank has witnessed the other side of the patient’s care following a recent triple bypass. He said: “I have seen some wonderful staff supporting patient’s needs throughout care and recovery programmes along with all the other staff dealing with patients. It really makes me proud to say I worked alongside such staff within the NHS family.

“I will miss the camaraderie within the emergency services I shared on a daily basis, but I’m sure my family and friends will make up for that now I have the time to spend with them."

Gardening, bowls and a consultative basis for the ambulance service on a variety of projects will occupy much of Frank’s retirement as he takes stock of a worthwhile career spanning four decades.”