SANTA Claus has some stiff competition for the title of most dedicated festive worker - from a nurse who has spent 41 out of the past 42 Christmas Days on duty.

Senior ward sister Renee Allen has only spent one full Christmas Day at home during her nursing career - 32 years ago when she was on maternity leave following the birth of her daughter Sharon.

Despite having to leave her husband Chris and family at home on Christmas morning, Renee feels it is important to go into work at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The 59-year-old explained: "The patients have to be in, so I think I should be there too.

"It's my job to be there and I feel privileged to be able to look after people, whatever day of the year it is."

Renee, of Sudell Close, Darwen, works the early shift on the cardiology ward so that she can spend some of Christmas with her family.

She said: "I finish at 3pm so when I get home we can open presents and have our turkey dinner - but we usually wait and celebrate on Boxing Day instead."

Renee added: "It can be hard to be away from the ones you love on such a special day, but I am there by choice. The patients miss their families as well as having to contend with being ill.

"It is good to think that you can make Christmas better for them, even if it is only a little better."

Patients on Renee's ward are visited by Salvation Army carol singers on Christmas Eve and the unit has been decorated with tinsel and baubles to create a festive atmosphere.

On Christmas Day patients are given presents with their Christmas dinner.

But there is not as much seasonal spirit at the hospital as there used to be, according to Renee.

"Many of the traditions have disappeared over the years," she said.

"When I first started work the consultants would come on to the ward and cut the turkey and there would be lots of visitors to join in the festivities.

"We have 19 beds on the ward and I think they will all be full but it is a lonely place to spend Christmas Day. We try to make it as special as possible, but no one really wants to have to be in hospital at Christmas."

Renee is not the only nurse to forego Christmas celebrations at home.

Her colleague Hilary Colleron, from Whalley, has worked the December 25 shift 25 times in 31 years.

Renee said: "We are all really dedicated to what we do, so missing a few hours of celebrating is something that we accept."

Renee's family accept the situation too. Daughter Sharon, a care assistant, said: "It's something I have grown up with so I have never minded that my mum wasn't there on Christmas morning or that I had to wait to open my presents.

"There are people who need her more than I do and I'm quite happy to share her with them."