From nostalgia to modern day developments, an event in Carlisle city centre tomorrow will be a chance to reflect on the history of the NHS and meet the staff working in it today.

Local health organisations and Unison have teamed up to throw a 70th birthday party for the National Health Service.

It will take place from 10am until 2pm, with staff from a wide variety of services setting up stalls outside the Old Town Hall.

Carlisle Archives is also taking part, bringing a collection of old photographs and records to the event.

Their exhibition panels detail the history of various Cumberland healthcare institutions, including the Blencathra Isolation Hospital, City Maternity Hospital, City General Hospital, Cumberland Infirmary and the Garlands mental hospital.

Among the people featured is Joan Farries, the mother of Cumbria County Council leader Stewart Young, who worked as an NHS nurse in Carlisle, starting her training in September 1947.

Joan, who later married Ian Young, was a staff nurse at Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary throughout her career, taking time out to have her four children.

She balanced her family life by working part time, mainly covering night shifts on the Balfour Paul ward.

Joan died three years ago, aged 85. But her family has since uncovered her old nursing certificates and photographs, which will be featured in the exhibition at tomorrow's event.

Mr Young said he was incredibly proud of his mother.

"She grew up with the NHS and worked in the NHS. She loved it. She was very caring. She was made to be a nurse," he said.

The University of Cumbria will also be using the event to shine a light on the National Health Service, past, present and future, as seen through the eyes of its lecturers and nursing alumni.

Staff will be on hand to demonstrate historical equipment and inform visitors how some procedures were performed in times gone by.

This will be contrasted by demonstrations of modern equipment and explanations of how nurses practice nowadays.

Zoe Butler, a newly qualified nurse who trained at the university, will be among those present.

She said: “At the stand people will experience a guided tour of the history of the NHS as told first-hand by real-life nurses and lecturers.

"We’ll also be there to describe what it’s like working as a nurse in the NHS today.”

NHS stalls at the event will include maternity matters, infant feeding advice, cancer services, physiotherapy, podiatry, health visiting, mental health, dementia and community services.

Palliative care and bereavement support staff are also teaming up to hold a death cafe, encouraging people to talk about end of life care, while occupational therapists and physiotherapists will be carrying out safety checks on walking aids and providing falls prevention advice.

The North West Ambulance Service will also be there.

As well as celebrating the NHS past and present, tomorrow's event is also a chance to showcase some of the career opportunities in local health services and attract the staff of the future.

The NHS will be supported by various charities and partners, including Healing Arts, Healthwatch, Macmillan, Carlisle City Council's Walking for Health programme and the Happy Mums Foundation.

Health union Unison is funding the event.

Its Cumbria secretary Liz Walsh said: "We fully back the NHS and the wonderful service our staff provide to all the people of Cumbria, we hope as many people as possible come down to celebrate with us.”