WESTMORLAND General Hospital’s patients and staff had a helping hand on Friday - in the shape of South Lakes MP Tim Farron.

Mr Farron visited the hospital to spend time working with the catering, portering and domestic teams.

He met with volunteers, tried out working on the reception desk, served coffee in the 2Go cafe, took calls at the switchboard, helped clean wards and corridors and served meals to patients.

Community engagement manager Barry Rigg said: “It was great to accompany and supervise Tim around Westmorland General Hospital and give him an insight into all the different jobs that are hugely important in keeping our hospitals working as they should, and keeping our patients and visitors comfortable and safe.”

Jan Gigli and Sharon Hodgson, who showed Tim the ropes in the café, added: “It took a couple of goes for him to get to grips with the coffee machines, but once he’d mastered that he was great – he can come and help us out any time – especially during our morning rush."

Mr Farron said: “It was great to roll up my sleeves on Friday and spend a day out on the wards. I got to spend time with staff, patients and their families and do a variety of tasks from working on the switchboard, to helping serve lunch.

“I want to pay tribute to the amazing doctors, nurses and staff I met at Westmorland General. They really are second to none.”