MANY thousands of people in Herefordshire have benefited from the skills of consultant orthopaedic surgeon Ian Reynolds.

For more than 23 years in this county he has dedicated his life to repairing limbs, replacing joints, easing pain and improving the quality of life of countless men, women and children.

Many have expressed regret over the news of his retirement from Hereford Hospitals Trust and his service with the NHS and messages have poured in from patients saying he will be missed.

The feeling is mutual. "I shall miss them all, too,'' said Mr Reynolds.

He came to Hereford hospitals in 1980 with a wealth of experience in orthopaedic surgery and has worked in all aspects of this speciality.

More recently he has been coping with record numbers of hip and knee replacements and has performed several thousands of these procedures over the years giving patients a new lease of life.

His colleagues hold him in high regard saying he always had the welfare of patients uppermost in his thoughts, right up to his retirement on May 31. They describe his contribution to practical clinical orthopaedic and trauma practice in Hereford as 'enormous', a contribution which will be hard to replace.

Mr Reynolds has time for some hobbies - he is a fine skier and cricketer and likes golf.

But his main pride and joy is his garden at Old Eign Hill, developed from just a big hole in the ground but now described as unique, beautiful and renowned. Some of his spare time will be devoted to developing the garden.

But his skills in orthopaedic surgery will not be totally lost. Mr Reynolds plans to carry on with some private work at the Wye Valley Nuffield Hospital in Hereford.