An 'inspirational' midwife who has delivered generations of babies was bid a fond farewell as she stepped down from her caring career.

Norwich Evening News: Ellen, centre, with Nick Oligbo, medical director, and Liz Libiszewski, director of nursing.Ellen, centre, with Nick Oligbo, medical director, and Liz Libiszewski, director of nursing. (Image: Archant)

Ellen Suttie has supported and looked after new and expectant mums at the James Paget Hospital for 32 years where she has become a 'legend' among staff and colleagues.

But after a career in the NHS that has spanned nearly 50 years the mother-of-three has now hung up her scrubs and retired.

On Tuesday she was joined by colleagues, friends and generations of babies that she has helped deliver - from 14 month olds to adults - to celebrate her remarkable contribution to the health service, and to toast her dedicated service.

Nick Oligbo, JPH medical director, was among those to pay tribute to Ellen, 66, and said working with her had been 'absolutely brilliant'.

Norwich Evening News: Ellen pictured during her early years as a midwifeEllen pictured during her early years as a midwife (Image: Archant)

'When I first arrived, Ellen was the first head of midwifery I saw who every day was on the shop floor, delivering babies,' he added.

'Lots of things have changed but I have never heard her say 'in the old days...'. All the new things that have come along, she has taken them on and adapted.

'The Paget is really losing a star.'

Fellow staff described her as 'phenomenal' and thanked her for her 'superb contribution' to midwifery, the hospital and the people of Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Ellen has worked in the NHS for 49 years starting as a nurse before moving into midwifery in 1970.

She worked in Warrington, Pembrokeshire and the south of France before coming to Norfolk in 1983, where she settled to raise her family.

The grandmother-of-10 and great-grandmother-of-one said she had been 'really fortunate' as she had had 'such an enjoyable' career.

'I just can't believe there are 45 year olds walking about who I delivered, the last 45 years have gone by so quickly,' she added. 'I have made such a lot of friends here and I'm going to miss everybody.

'I have always tried to work hard and do the best for women and babies; if I have achieved that even a little bit I'm very, very happy.'

Assembled guests enjoyed a special cake to mark Ellen's retirement and looked at pictures of her from the start of her career, showing how the uniforms for midwives have changed over the years.

Claire Garnhan has worked alongside Ellen as a midwife for the last four and half years and has also received her care as a new mum, after she delivered her 14-month-old daughter Amelia.

Claire, from Acle, said: 'Ellen is an inspirational lady and she's an amazing midwife. I have learnt so much from her and I can't thank her enough for bringing my daughter into the world. If I could be half the midwife Ellen is that would be an achievement.'

Fellow mum, friend and former colleague Liz Hynes, who worked as a practice development midwife at the Paget, also praised Ellen who delivered her daughter Pippa, 18.

Liz, from Blundeston, added: 'She was always an inspiration and she's just never changed.

'Even when she was head of midwifery her heart was being a midwife and she wanted to be with woman, and that's where she was always happiest and best.

'People used to queue up wanting her to deliver their baby.'