TWO district nurses are celebrating a special anniversary of a combined 60 years working in the NHS.

Sandy Flynn and Teresa Kinnane have each worked for 30 years in the profession and are part of Waltham Forest's district nursing team based at Langthorne Health Centre in Leytonstone.

Mrs Flynn, who is married with three children, Kieran, Liam and Sean, began her career in January 1974 in C6 ward at Whipps Cross University Hospital as a staff nurse. She was made a sister in the same year. In August 1980, she began district nursing.

Mrs Kinnane, who is married with two children, Bernard and Anna and is also a grandmother, began her career as an auxiliary nurse in the district nursing team in February 1974.

She was also nominated by her colleagues as an NHS champion in a national competition and she received a certificate of merit.

They have both worked through several NHS re-organisations and are now working for the Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust.

Mrs Flynn said: "I remember dressing up as a nurse when I was six. Nursing's something I've always wanted to do, you get so much back from people and every day is challenging."

Mrs Kinnane added she had no plans to leave the profession yet.