A  ‘compassionate and selfless’ doctor who has treated thousands of people in Waltham Forest is finally set to retire from the profession after 60 years.

Yesterday family, friends and colleagues of Dr Eric Levene gathered at Oliver Road Medical Centre in Leyton to celebrate his work of the past six decades.

Grandfather-of-nine Dr Levene, who ran his own practice in nearby Crownfield Road for 30 years, said retirement will not stop him from helping people.

The 83-year-old said: "I think I will try to do some work for Haven House Hospice voluntarily, I’d like to be useful in my retirement."

For more on this story see next week's Waltham Forest Guardian and Chingford Guardian, out next Thursday.