Not as many people as usual appeared to come out in Whitehaven on Sunday to applaud the NHS on its 72nd birthday.

Ella Cullen, 87, of George Street, is still fighting the effects of Covid-19 but, as a former nurse and current president of the Royal College of Nursing Cumbrian branch, she was determined to be on her doorstep to add her thanks to the nurses and doctors who have helped her and with whom she worked.

Church Street resident Alan Cleaver, 61, said he was surprised that there were a lot fewer people than usual out. “ I think it was the timing and not enough notice,” he said.