A CHARITY worker from Penarth has retired after nearly three decades of service to families affected by dementia.

Norma Purser has been volunteering with the specialist charity Crossroads, alongside her husband David, for 28 years.

Colleagues gathered for a lunch recently to thank her for the service she has given to thousands of families since 1988.

A special surprise was in store for Mrs Purser as the chief executive of Crossroads, Fiona Guthrie, read a letter from Mr Purser at the event, saying how proud he and her family were of the huge difference that his wife had made to so many.

The chairwoman of Crossroads, Gwen Phillips, added at the lunch: "Crossroads has grown a lot since 1987, and the need to support family carers and their loved ones with dementia is greater than ever.

"Norma has made a huge difference to get us to this stage and no-one could have been more person centred than her.

"We will miss her and wish her well for her retirement.

Mrs Purser joined Crossroads just one year after it was set up, using a donated typewriter based in one room at the town council offices.

At the time, she was also working as a dinner lady.

The aim of the charity is to support families caring for a loved one with dementia, and to support that family carer so they could continue to cope.

Since then the service has grown to include domiciliary care across Penarth and the Vale with a day centre in Barry, social groups and a specialist counselling service.

Mrs Purser called the care workers at Crossroads "wonderful".