An “inspirational” 91-year-old volunteer at Kingston Hospital who greets people in their hour of need has been nominated as an unsung hero.

Florence Powell, from Surbiton, has been welcoming patients at the hospital for more than 15 years.

She was moved to get involved after being helped by another volunteer when she visited the hospital with her husband.

She said: “We did not know much about the hospital at all and while we were there one of the ladies wearing a sash took us around and I thought ‘What a fantastic idea.’

“People come in and they do not know where they are going, and they are upset and a bit distressed.

“If you can say ‘Can I help you?’ you feel you have done something worthwhile. It is a job I enjoy doing and I just don’t think anything of it.”

She spends every Thursday welcoming patients to the hospital and said they were thankful for help from the greeters.

And the hospital has expanded considerably since she began volunteering.

She said: “We get a lot of appreciation. They say ‘Oh, what a marvellous idea, thank you so much.’

“I think a lot of it is up to the individual, but, with the majority of people, I do think we are welcomed.”

Richard Coxon, volunteer manager at Kingston Hospital, said: “Florence is one of those lovely ladies who is the public face of the hospital.

“She is the first person sometimes people see – she gives that reassuring smile.

“She is just so lovely and always smiling. You would think, at her age, people would be helping her but actually it is the other way round.

"When you see people like Florence it is an inspiration to see someone living such an active life, and giving her time for free.”

Do you know an unsung hero? Call the newsdesk on 020 8744 4273 or email jon.sharman@london.newsquest.co.uk