RESIDENTS across the Vale of York are being invited to pay tribute to the NHS to mark seven decades of the service.

The NHS turns 70 on July 5 and the NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has created a 4ft high birthday card to mark the occasion.

In the weeks leading up to the anniversary, the birthday card will be touring the Vale of York so people can sign their names or write their messages to express what the NHS means to them and their families.

Members of the public are also invited to sign pledge cards to do something positive to improve their health and wellbeing.

The card is visiting an array of towns in the Vale of York and is scheduled to stop at the centre of Easingwold on June 15.

It will round off its journey at the CCG’s 1940s-themed NHS70 birthday party at West Offices in York city centre on July 5.

Dr Nigel Wells, Vale of York CCG’s clinical chair, said: “The CCG has lots of events planned to celebrate 70 years of the NHS – both in the run-up to the birthday and on the day itself – and it would be great if we can get as many people from the Vale of York involved as possible.

“So if you see the 4ft birthday card when you’re out and about feel free to sign your name or write a message to convey what the NHS means to you.

“The card is touring many parts of the Vale of York so there’s plenty of opportunities to write your messages.”

For more details of the card’s tour across the area and for more information about the CCG’s NHS70 celebrations, visit valeofyorkccg.nhs.uk/nhs70