Friends and colleagues of a care home manager who has been “a friend to all” threw her a surprise party for her retirement before presenting her with an inflatable zimmer frame.

Jacqueline Barnes, known as Jackie, started work at Orchard Cottage Care Home in Old Road East, Gravesend, in May 1990 looking after the elderly residents.

She was promoted to home manager in December 2002, and after almost 27 years of service, now aged 67, she has retired.

The grandmother was expecting to “just go home” on her last day, according to regional manager Richy Khaira, but her colleagues had other ideas.

Instead, they organised a party at the home, inviting residents, families and staff.

One relative created cakes that resembled a bouquet and a knitting bag complete with needles and balls of wool and Mrs Barnes was presented with various gifts from care staff and families including a watch, gift vouchers, flowers and, a final jokey present, a blow-up zimmer frame.

Before Mrs Barnes entered the care industry she worked at Debenhams and Freebody in Wigmore Street, London, as a trainee seamstress, from 1965, then in 1968, she joined a Crayford company called John Howards where she made school uniforms.

After becoming a mother she worked in a small sandwich shop called Cabin Stores in Northfleet.

Mr Khaira said: “In her final career move Jackie found her true vocation in life.

“Looking after the well-being of others, she has been selfless and shown great care and respect to all the residents and families at Orchard Cottage.

“Jackie has proven to be an extremely hard working and dedicated manager, with the full control of running the home in a very calm, caring and professional manner.

“All of us at Orchard Cottage will sincerely miss Jackie and we all wish her the very best in her retirement.”

Mrs Barnes, who lives in Gravesend and is a mother of three and grandmother of five, plans to spend more time with her family after retirement as well as knitting and keeping fit by swimming and going on organised walks.