A hospital worker has turned her hand to security after a career spanning nearly 30 years.

Kirsty Harris has been working at Western Community Hospital as a supervisor of catering and cleaning teams.

Working at the community hospital is in Kirsty’s blood; her mum worked in housekeeping for 26 years while her grandmother clocked up 30 years.

She told the Echo: "It sounds like a cliché, but it really is like a family here in facilities. 

"People tend to stay a long time, which allows you to get to know them really well and know exactly how to bring out the best in them."

Now, Kirsty has also taken on the role of facilities management administrator.

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Driven by the desire to gain some experience in the field, she took a BTEC Level 5 professional award in managing security and security systems - and came top of the class.

The week-long course, which was held at the New Place Hotel in Shirrell Heath, involved writing a 6,000-word assignment and sitting an exam.

And despite her classmates having years of experience in the security industry, Kirsty beat the lot with her overall score of 92 per cent.

She described the course as challenging and covering everything from data protection and human rights to the criminal justice system and surveillance camera codes of practice.

Looking forward to putting her security gear on, Kirsty said: "Our security team is hard-working and takes real pride in what they do. 

"They are the first port of call for many patients and visitors, so I wanted to do everything I could to support them and ensure that we provide a professional service.

"I wanted to complete the course as I felt I needed some additional backing behind me.

"It has given me more confidence, and I would like to think that the department will benefit from it too."