A GREAT grandmother has wheeled her last trolley around Southend Hospital after 18 years’ voluntary service.

Marjorie Smith has retired from her role as the hospital’s WRVS trolley service manager, a familiar sight to many patients.

Mrs Smith, from Westcliff, decided to volunteer as a thank you to the staff for the care given to her late husband, Within three months she was managing the service.

She said: “Now I’ve decided it’s time to take things easier. I am saying goodbye to a lovely crowd, but it’s time to have a bit more time for myself.”

Marjorie and her team of 30 volunteers take and sell items such as chocolates, sweets, soft drinks and toiletries on trolleys manned by two volunteers to most of the 41 wards throughout the hospital.

She was presented with a bouquet of flowers from hospital chairman John Bruce and also received cards and flowers from various members of her team.