A POPULAR care assistant is celebrating 30 years of helping the elderly in Droitwich Spa.

Christine Greening started work at Westmead Residential Care Home, Westmead Close, on February 20, 1984.

She marked three decades of caring for residents at the Sanctuary Care site when a tea party was held in her honour.

The 61-year-old was also presented with cards and flowers at the event.

She said: "I just love coming here. The best bit about working at Westmead is seeing the residents happy and doing the very best you can for them.

“I should be retiring but I don’t want to go – it keeps me young. I have no plans to retire so everyone will have to put up with me for a bit longer yet.”

The home’s manager, Sue Stokes, who has been in charge of Christine for about 18 years, said: “It has been an absolute privilege working with Christine, she is a dedicated and experienced member of the team and is a real asset to Westmead. She is so well thought of by the residents and the rest of our team here.”

Speaking about her colleague, home administrator Tina Quinn added: “Chris is so popular with the residents. She is a natural carer, it’s in her nature. She is a very bubbly person - always happy, singing and laughing - she could brighten up anyone’s day and is like part of the furniture here.”

In her spare time Christine, who lives in Droitwich, enjoys spending time with her husband of 42 years, Keith, and her children Melanie, Veronica, Matthew and Rachel, as well as her four grandchildren, aged three to 12.