AN EYE-CATCHING tribute to the NHS was created outside the Royal Berkshire Hospital today (April 29).

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The council has left a large and colourful message in a section of London Road, saying: 'Thank you NHS and carers' with a heart.

Announcing the news on Facebook, the council said: "We have added a public and colourful thank you to our #NHS staff and carers outside Royal Berkshire Hospital on London Road this morning, with two of our councillors joined by members of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust to witness the installation."

Steve McManus, chief executive of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It’s great that so many of our hard working staff now see this lovely message of gratitude as they start and finish their shifts at the hospital.

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"We’ve been overwhelmed by the many ways the local community has rallied round to support us all during the covornavirus outbreak, from donations of food and laundry bags, to the weekly clapping for carers.

"This eye-catching message on our doorstep is a reminder to everyone of the fantastic work being done, not just inside the hospital but by carers and key workers across our community.”

Reading Borough Council leader Jason Brock said: "Our NHS staff and carers have shown exceptional dedication, coping so well with the additional pressures and dangers that coronavirus has brought.

"We want to bring a smile to the faces of hospital staff when they come to work and remind them how much the council and all Reading’s residents truly appreciate what they are doing. My sincere thanks go to all frontline staff keeping essential services going, including the council’s dedicated team and those working or volunteering with all our partners.”

Both Reading Borough Council and the Royal Berkshire Hospital reiterated that residents can help the fight against Covid-19 through social distancing and should stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.