A LLANIDLOES midwife has retired after delivering little bundles of joy for more than 30 years.

Jan Cross was given an emotional celebratory tea party to mark her career featuring some of the children she had helped deliver into the world.

Mums, babies and families got together at the Llanidloes Birth Centre to thank Jan for all her work during the many years as an integrated midwife serving out in the community as well as Llanidloes Hospital

Jan, who has a son, Gavin, aged 19, has delivered hundreds of babies in north Powys and has helped thousands of mums with pre and post-natal care.

She said: “Those are the moments that matter, when you get to know the mums. It’s a special and wonderful time.

"It’s been a wonderful career. Thank you to everybody for coming, the mums and children, and thanks for the good wishes.

“It’s been a privilege to be a midwife. I’ve had some very special times.”

Since announcing her retirement in January, Jan said: “I’ll miss the mums and my colleagues, of course. But I’ve had enough of being on-call for over 20 years! I can’t wait to have a holiday and enjoy spending time with my husband.”

Mum and midwife, Rachel Mills from Llanidloes, who takes over Jan’s role at the hospital, says Jan has played a big part in her life.

“She’s not only been a mentor to me, but she also helped deliver my little boy. It was great to see Jan happy at the party with all the mums she’s helped over the years.”