Staff at Fordingbridge Hospital have been thanked for their efforts during the pandemic.

Leon Whitfield from the local Freemasons gave presents to workers on Ford Ward as a thank you for all their efforts during the last 18 months.

Where staff in larger hospitals received deliveries of food, flowers and other treats, all the team at Fordingbridge Hospital had seen were patients.

Leon, who heads the Freemasons in the south-west of the county, said: “Fordingbridge Hospital has gone under the radar during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It is a small community hospital with a dedicated team and we felt they deserved something because all the larger hospitals had received donations.

“It was a pleasure to meet the staff and hear about what they do for the benefit of those in our community.

“We gave them some cosmetics and we also gave them our thanks.”