A KELSO care home worker has celebrated 20 years of "devotion" to her work.

Liz Ford marked 20 years as a member of QME Care Home's kitchen staff last week when she was presented with a homemade cake from her colleagues , and a 20-year service award, a diamond-studded watch and a bouquet of flowers from the home's chairman of the board of trustees and the chief executive.

Liz – who is mum to well-known rugby players Ewan and Ross – joined the kitchen team in the home in 2001 when it was known as Queens House.

Ray Jones, chairman of the board of trustees for QME Care, said “Liz is very hard working and conscientious and takes great pride in her work.

"It takes a special person to work in a Residential Care setting for 20 years whilst adapting to change.

"Liz is a huge asset to QME Care who has the welfare of our Residents at the heart of everything she does.”

When presented with her award, Liz said: “Thank you so much, this is totally out of the blue and I didn’t expect anything like this. It’s unbelievable and you managed to keep it very quiet.

"There’s been a lot of changes through the years and when I first came here for an interview, it felt right.

"It felt as a place should be and after twenty years, I am ready to retire shortly.

"I have seen a lot of nice people and residents; it’s been a pleasure.

"Thank you for this, truly, I am gobsmacked.”

Liz plans to retire in February next year.

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