MORE than 4,500 past and present members of staff and volunteers in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, have been invited to three massive garden parties to celebrate the NHS golden jubilee.

On July 5, the NHS will have been treating patients for 50 years and Burnley Health Care Trust is celebrating in style.

Events have already begun and will culminate on Sunday with a service of Thanksgiving at Blackburn Cathedral.

The garden parties are being held in the grounds of Burnley General, Pendle Community and Rossendale Hospitals tomorrow. Music will be provided by the Houghton Weavers at Burnley and by local musicians at the other sites.

Each member of staff has received an invitation to the Marsden Building Society-sponsored events and will be eligible for a draw for a £500 holiday voucher sponsored by Altham Travel Services Ltd.

Each member of staff is also receiving an enamel badge sponsored by the Black Horse Agency and depicting the 50th anniversary logo and the words "The NHS in East Lancashire.''

A special patients menu has been prepared contrasting in choice and variety to the 1948 meals, which were still restricted by post war rationing.

A commemorative NHS 50p uncirculated coin will be presented to each baby born on July 5 when special anniversary cakes will also be made and served on the wards.

David Chew, trust chief executive, said: "The special anniversary provides the opportunity for the Trust to mark the past 50 years and to look forward to what health services might be like in the future.

"The fact we are able to celebrate this special event in such style is due to the generosity of our sponsors. PARTY SITE: Burnley General Hospital will stage a golden jubilee celebration

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