Most people would be expected to put up their feet when they reach their late 80s - but for two hospital volunteers nothing could be further from the truth.

George Bain and his colleague Deborah are familiar faces to patients and staff at Royal Sussex County Hospital and the Sussex Eye Hospital in Brighton.

George, 85, has been helping out on the orthopaedic ward at Royal Sussex for more than 25 years.

He makes the journey from his home in Brighton every Saturday by motorbike and rarely misses a shift.

He helps male patients with their daily shave, fetches their newspapers and goes to the shops for them.

He said: "It started when I had to go into hospital for an operation on my hand.

"I was impressed by the support and care I got and when I came out I decided to do my bit. I started in the accident and emergency department and then moved to the orthopaedic ward. I've been helping out ever since.

"It is great to be able to help other people and it gives me a lot of satisfaction. It also gives me a chance to get out and about. Everyone knows me on the ward and it is a nice feeling.

"I may be older than a lot of other volunteers but I'm still going strong."

At 87, Deborah is the oldest volunteer at the hospital and helps out every Wednesday.

She has been guiding and directing visitors and patients at the information desk at the main entrance of the Sussex Eye Hospital since 1998 but has helped out at the WRVS tea bar at the Royal Sussex for much longer.

She arrives before 7am to set up the tea bar before going on to the information desk.

Deborah said: "I get a lot of satisfaction out of helping here. I get to meet a lot of people and it's better than being on my own at home. Most people are nice but there are a few who like to complain but you have to take the good with the bad."

Deborah got involved with the hospital after joining the WRVS following the death of her husband more than four years ago.

She said: "I didn't want to sit around on my own so I decided to do something about it. Age doesn't really come into it. If you are able to help and you want to then there is no reason why you shouldn't."

There are currently 250 volunteers working at hospitals and clinics run by Brighton Health Care NHS Trust and South Downs Health NHS Trust.

Co-ordinator Grace Davies said people of all ages and abilities were welcome as more volunteers were always needed on the wards, at information desks and in the canteens and cafes.

Specialist helpers who can provide something a little different such as beauty treatments are also welcome.

More details are available on 01273 696955 ext 4533.