By Saul Cooke-Black

A STROUD care worker has won a prestigious award after serving for 18 years at Southfield care home.

Lesley Bath, a Senior Specialist Night Care Leader, received a Bronze Medal of Merit from the British branch of the world's oldest order of chivalry - the Sovereign Order of Malta.

She won the award for her motivated and dependable approach, having not taken a day off sick in her 18 years with the care home, which is run by the Order of St John Care Trust.

Kevin Hall, a director at OSJCT, said: "We’re absolutely thrilled to see that Lesley’s hard work and dedication has been recognised at such a prestigious awards ceremony.

"At the Trust our goal is to continuously provide the highest quality of care for our residents, so we could not be happier that the outstanding work our employees has been highlighted at the annual Order of Malta’s St John’s Day Ceremony."

The Order of Malta, a worldwide organisation dating back to the eleventh century, aims to help those in need and provides the OSJCT with eight Trustees to support its care for older people.