This is the touching moment an NHS nurse was celebrated with a surprise retirement party after almost three decades of service.

Melanie Choruma has been working as an NHS nurse and mentor for 27 years across several London hospitals and is now finally retiring at the age 70.

Melanie's last day on the job was Friday (June 20) and people from all corners of her life came together to celebrate.

Colleagues at Croydon University Hospital organised a surprise party of nearly 50 people including previous bosses and co-workers and her sons, one of whom flew in from Zurich, Switzerland.

Melanie was overwhelmed by the love in the room and her son Keith Choruma, 33, says it perfectly captures just how much she meant to the community.

Melanie said: "It made me so happy."

"I feel very proud of all I have accomplished in my career."

"The party felt like pure joy and makes me so proud of the community around me."

Melanie started her career in her home country of Zimbabwe, where she initially studied to be a nurse and began working 47 years ago.

In 1995, Melanie's husband and father to her three boys died after an accident led to a sudden illness.

Melanie realised she had to prioritise her career to provide for her sons and in 1999 moved to London, where she started a new life as an NHS nurse - a role she continued to work in until last week.

Keith, a property management business owner, said: "Our dad had been the main breadwinner of our home back in Zimbabwe as his job as an accountant set us up really well."

"Luckily, my mum's dad had always placed great importance on her having an education and a qualification to fall back on."

"So when my dad died, that back up plan became our reality."

"I just remember her constantly working."

"She'd be doing all sorts of shifts including nights, days and doubles."

"And with every shift she'd bring happiness to everyone she touched or that's what everyone said at least!"

"My mother is just the most wonderful, kind and hardworking person and I am so happy she has finally been able to retire."

Melanie was eligible for retirement a few years ago but she still had three years left on her mortgage.

So she decided to ride out the last few years so she didn't have to worry about paying off her home whilst retired.

Now with all her mortgage payments over, she can rest after a long and impressive career.

Keith said: "It was honestly such an amazing experience to witness."

"One of my brothers had come down from Leeds and the other one lives in Zurich so he flew in for the occasion."

"There was no way any of us were missing this moment."

"Seeing her there with all her colleagues and even old bosses from St George's University Hospital, where she worked for years."

"It made us all incredibly proud."