A NURSE who founded an award-winning Kidderminster prostate cancer support group is retiring from her role after 17 years of volunteering.

Mary Symonds, 67, of Areley Kings, Stourport, started the Kidderminster Prostate Cancer Support Group in 1999 to offer advice and examinations to men over 50.

The Kidderminster Hospital nurse, who is a specialist in urology, has helped diagnose around 600 visitors to the group each year at their quarterly meetings at the Town Hall.

She said: "My father joined a support group when he had a heart condition and I could see the benefits of them.

"I started it as just a focus group in 1999 and we finally registered it as a support group in 2000.

"We signed up 60 men and it has become one of the biggest in the county.

"We now have 450 members but we get attendances at the Town Hall of 200 people, which includes both the men and their wives.

"We try and get people from the medical world to speak to them as well as people who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer."

Mrs Symonds, who began her career as a nurse in oncology in 1988, is looking forward to her retirement at the end of April but will remain a committee member.

She said: "I’m looking forward to my retirement now but I still want to help them grow.

"I have had a wonderful relationship with all of the people there. They gave me a standing ovation at the Town Hall. I felt like an opera singer!"

Chairman Paul Brothwell praised the dedication of Mrs Symonds to launch a group that was handed the Best Practice Award by Prostate Cancer UK last year.

He said: "I would like to thank her for her dedication and support she has given to the group and to all the members, along with her knowledge of prostate cancer."