A DOCTOR who emigrated from Australia to work in Blackburn is hanging up his stethoscope after more than 26 years.

David Gebbie, 58, said he had thoroughly enjoyed looking after generations of families at the Limefield Surgery in Preston New Road.

The keen tennis player said he hoped to spend his retirement taking part in more sport and helping out at the East Lancashire Hospice.

The father-of-four said: “I feel very fortunate to have had the 26 and a half years that I have had. It was a good time to be a GP.

“The patients have been incredibly welcoming and I have been quite overwhelmed with the cards they have sent and their good wishes.

“I have really enjoyed my professional life and I will remember the patients’ hospitality.

“The memory I will take away with me is how warm the people of East Lancashire have been.”

Dr Gebbie, who lives in Gibb Lane, with his wife Clare, said he had no intentions of leaving Blackburn, where he has made his home.

He came to Blackburn from Australia in the 1980s to get more experience as he said it was harder to find work placements Down Under.

He said he had seen the profession change over the years, with GPs less free to make changes to their practices now compared to when he was starting out.

Pat Toner, practice manager at Limefield Road, said Dr Gebbie was a well-respected doctor who was loved by the patients.

She said: “Dr Gebbie was a proper, old-fashioned GP.

“He has seen lots of families over the years – three generations in some cases.

“Dr Gebbie had a really caring attitude and he was an excellent GP.

“We are devastated that he is going because he has had a massive impact and he has left a big whole.

“He was one of a kind and nobody will be able to fill his shoes.

“But everybody wishes him all of the best for his retirement and the future.”

The surgery is taking on a nurse practitioner to take over Dr Gebbie’s position.