Ref.10467DOCTORS and staff from Southbroom Surgery and Devizes Hospital joined with patients and friends to say goodbye to Dr Stephen Siggers who has retired from general practice after 30 years.

Dr Siggers hung up his stethoscope on Monday at the end of a distinguished career as a general practitioner in the town.

Dr Siggers, is one of threel brothers, who all took up medical careers.

He was educated at Marlborough College and Guy's Hospital in London.

When he ws newly qualified, he joined his father at the Sandcliff Surgery in Northgate Street, Devizes, in 1973, where he remained following his father's retirement in 1988, before the amalgamation of the Hillworth Road and Sandcliff practices to form the new Southbroom Surgery in 1991.

At the farewell party at Devizes Sports Club last Friday Dr Siggers was presented with a set of garden furniture from the doctors at Southbroom Surgery, a travel fishing rod and champagne by the staff, a cheque from the Friends of Southbroom Surgery and an ornamental bird bath by the staff of Devizes Hospital.

He plans to spend more time on his favourite pastimes of hill walking, fishing, enjoying his garden and holidaying in Wales, Ireland and France with his French wife, Christiane.