A GARDEN party was held in hospital grounds at the weekend to celebrate the birthday of the National Health Service.

Staff, patients and visitors to Darlington Memorial Hospital were treated to tea and cakes.

There were also games set up in the grounds, including a beat the goalie task and a coconut shy.

The event was held to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the NHS and proceeds went to the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust's charity, which raises money to help fund items to make a real difference to patients.

Stuart Wray, associate director of facilities at the Trust, said: "I’m very proud of my team who worked so hard, making cakes, building traditional games such as a coconut shy and ‘hit the goalie’ – all on top of their busy jobs.

"Our catering teams also made 1,000 scones in our Darlington kitchens, so every in-patient across our eight sites could join in the celebrations with a cream tea.”