A SAUCHIE nursery nurse, who worked at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, is saying her goodbyes after 23 years of service.

Linda Mellon, who worked at the Children's Ward in the Larbert hospital, has cared for around 100,000 children as well as their families and is now emigrating to Australia where her kids live.

Colleagues said their goodbyes with flowers, personal gifts and some Australian Dollars and among the well-wishers was a message from one of her first patients, now aged 25.

Using social media, the woman, who has a long-term condition, said she was pleased Linda waited with the big move until now, as today's technology will enable them too keep in touch across the seas.

Reflecting on the past few decades, Linda, who began her career at Stirling Royal Infirmary, said: “To see children coming in poorly and going out well is priceless.

“I’ve had a good career in Forth Valley with lots of laughter and lots of tears, but everybody in the ward is there for each other, through the good times and the bad times.

“I have worked with a great bunch of people who are not only colleagues, but like a family whom you can trust and depend on.”

Linda, who lives in Sauchie, has a son and daughter who live in Perth (Australia) and another son near Melbourne.

Her daughter is a pre-school teacher at Perth University and she hopes to undertake supply work there.