PILOTS at a Herefordshire airfield have given the perfect send-off to a retiring GP.

Dr Nicholas Ovenden has given his last medical at Shobdon Airfield after more than 40 years of service.

The Kingsland doctor was an Authorised Medical Examiner (AME) for the Civil Aviation Authority and treated hundreds of pilots.

The 71-year-old started practising in 1968, but suffers from Parkinson’s Disease and was forced to retire in early April.

Herefordshire Aero Club honoured Dr Ovenden with a fund-raising evening for the Parkinson’s Disease Society.

The doctor was handed a silver plate, while a collection raised £900 for the charity.

Dr Ovenden praised the club for its fund-raising as the number of cases of the disease are increasing in Herefordshire.

“I would have gone on for a lot longer – mentally I’m fine, but physically it’s getting a bit difficult,” he said.

“There are so few aviation examiners and I’ve been lucky to have such a great job. Pilots are the most interesting people and they’ve been most generous for the appeal.”

Dr Ovenden gave his last check-up to Dennis Davies, chief flying instructor at the club.

“We just wanted to say thank you for everything he’s done – he’s one of life’s true gentlemen,” said Mr Davies.