AFTER 20 years, one of Lister s first voluntary drivers has decided it s finally time to hang up the driving gloves, aged 90. Daisy Blair, of Souberie Avenue in Letchworth GC, said: I can t believe it s been 20 years! I ll miss my friends most of all and

AFTER 20 years, one of Lister's first voluntary drivers has decided it's finally time to hang up the driving gloves, aged 90.

Daisy Blair, of Souberie Avenue in Letchworth GC, said: "I can't believe it's been 20 years! I'll miss my friends most of all and walking up and down the hospital, knowing everyone. I've had a wonderful time."

Recounting how she ended up helping start Lister's voluntary car service with her husband, Colonel Neville Blair, she said she had always wanted to work in healthcare and combined this with her passion for driving.

"I actually wanted to become a surgeon but I couldn't get into medical school because I had to look after my father," she said. "But I always wanted to do a job helping others."

Mrs Blair was a British Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse in London when World War II broke out. She nursed on hospital wards and often changed into her overalls to drive an ambulance during bombing raids.

She moved to Letchworth in 1956 and, when she retired from work became a voluntary driver for the British Red Cross. But in 1987, aged 70, Mrs Blair was told she could no longer work for them.

It was then that she and her husband decided to team up with Lister voluntary services to start the car service.

"It was something that we thought was needed more and more in the community so we just did it," said Mrs Blair. "I like meeting people and driving had become like a second life to me."

So after all those years of hard work is it finally time for Mrs Blair to put her feet up and have a rest? "Absolutely not!" she said. "I'm looking out for more voluntary work. I'm not sure where yet but I'll find some. I'm not stopping yet!"

To mark her retirement as one of Lister's voluntary drivers, Mrs Blair received a card and vouchers and went for a farewell meal with friends and colleagues.