AN orthodontist who has cared for thousands of people across South Cumbria has retired from his practice after almost 30 years.

Having started up his Kendal surgery from 'scratch', Harry Reid has treated around 6,000 patients in his 27 years of service.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and it has never been a bind," said the father-of-three. "I'm proud of what I've achieved and I'm sad to go really but I'm now 65 and need to move on."

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Mr Reid, of Sleagill, in the Eden Valley, set up the WH Reid practice in the town's Market Place premises in 1988 at the same time as running a service from Carlisle which opened four years earlier.

At a time when orthodontists were hard to come by in a primary care setting north of Manchester, the 65-year-old enjoyed a successful start with patients travelling from as far as Barrow and Lancaster.

"We started it with nothing when it was just an office with nothing here at all," he said. "It was busy from day one. We took in the vast catchment area and it was very hard work."

The orthodontist, who has worked in the NHS for 40 years, gave up his original small practice in Carlisle in 1996 but has seen around 10,000 patients during his career in Cumbria.

"I've looked after a lot of people and I'd started treating the children of parents who came here," said Mr Reid, who first trained in Newcastle and later specialised in London.

After closing the door on his career on Friday (March 20), the practice is now in the hands of Christine Taylor who has worked in Kendal with Mr Reid for two years.

"I'm very happy about it because it retains a continuation of care," he added. "Patients won't be inconvenienced and it should be quite insignificant for them."

Now the 65-year-old is looking forward to retirement with wife Pat, 62, who has also just given up work.

An amateur photographer and outdoors enthusiast, he hopes to spend his free time cycling, walking, golfing and skiing.