Nurse from Tavistock rejoining the NHS to help in the national effort to control the coronavirus pandemic

A nurse from Tavistock who left the NHS 18 months ago is preparing to go back on the wards to help with the national effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Mandy Coles believes it is her duty to put her skills to good use on the NHS frontline.

In the next few weeks she's rejoin her old colleagues treating patients at Plymouth's Derriford Hospital.

Mandy, who has a young son Taylor, made the decision jointly with husband Tony, who is seriously ill.

She added: "It's not a decision that I've taken lightly. My husband said your place is there, this is what you do (being a nurse), you know these people need care and there isn't enough nurses. It's time to go."

Mandy is apprehensive about returning but looking forward to the challenge.

She said: "I almost think I need to do it now, before I get any more nervous. This is serious stuff (the pandemic) and I'm ready to go and roll up my sleeves.

"I can make someone a cup of tea and sit and hold their hand - or if I can make a nurse a drink so she can go and have a rest - then I'll feel like I have done a good job. It doesn't need to be technical or fancy, it's just being an extra pair of hands."

Mandy is no stranger to challenges. This time last year she ran the Plymouth Half Marathon in memory of her dad, after losing ten and a half stone.