HOSPITAL patients and staff will now be able to sit in comfort thanks to volunteers from the old Castle Street Hospital.

The buffet helpers, who used to serve tea, cakes and sympathy in the now disused hospital's outpatients department, have donated a bench to be placed outside Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Doris Kershaw, chairman of the voluntary group, said the helpers decided to provide the bench to commemorate 66 years of continuous voluntary service.

"Members have happy memories of their duties at Castle Street," she said.

The new bench was handed over to the new hospital on Friday.