The driving force behind a hospital's fundraising efforts has stepped down after 23 years as chairman.

In the past 14 years alone, Joyce "Queenie" Sturch has seen more than £500,000 come into the coffers of the Burford Hospital Comforts Fund.

Tomorrow, colleagues, friends and former hospital staff are gathering to throw a party in her honour, with former Government minister Lord Hurd presenting her with thank you gifts.

"We owe a lot to Queenie. She joined the fund in 1966 and has put in valuable service since then," said treasurer and secretary Dick Sargent.

Mrs Sturch, a former magistrate who lives just outside Lechlade, has helped provide a wide range of extra facilities at Burford. The small cottage hospital, including a day centre was axed a year ago under a reorganisation of the county's community hospitals, despite a stong campaign. Some facilities remain such as an Alzheimer's Unit and residential care.

The support group was renamed the Burford Health Care Fund and Mrs Sturch will remain as its honorary president.