A BLACKPOOL nurse is appealing for help to find a video tape which holds some precious memories of a retirement party.

Theatre nurse Christine Atkins of Victoria Hospital is offering a reward for anyone who can help trace the tape which was stolen last Thursday (February 22).

Christine organised a This is Your Life style party at the Ryecroft Hall Hotel for her long-time colleague, orthopaedic consultant Barry Peach.

But the tape of the party - still inside the camcorder she used to record it - was stolen the following day when thieves burst into her parents' home in Blackpool. Nearly 100 staff from Victoria, Fleetwood and South Shore hospitals turned up for the party. Christine said: "Everyone is just completely shattered. We have memories but they can fade. That's why we made a video.

"We all dressed up and did a song and dance routine and it would be great to relive that night.

"The tape isn't of any value to anyone else except us. We just want it back, with no questions asked and we're not interested in the camcorder."

The camcorder's serial number is 3080121303.

If anyone can help they should ring Christine on 763812.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.