DUNSTER GPs Michael and Anne Currie were left in no doubt they will be missed when they hang up their stethoscopes at the end of September.

The couple have provided services to patients in the village and neighbouring Blue Anchor, Withycombe, Carhampton, Bilbrook, Luxborough, Dunster Marsh and some parts of Minehead for the past 22 years.

Dr Anne is actually the third generation of her family to practice in Dunster.

So a retirement party was bound to be well attended.

But surgery staff, who helped organise the farewell bash, admitted even they were surprised when 600 people came along to demonstrate the high regard in which the couple are held.

The guest list for the party, staged at Dunster's tithe barn last Sunday, included patients, staff from local surgeries and hospitals and the Currie's three children and two grandchildren.

But even more amazing was the amount collected for a farewell gift - almost £11,000 - the bulk of which will go to the hospital in Zambia where the couple will be spending at least the first two years of their retirement working as volunteers.

They will be heading off in mid-November to the 360-bed St Francis Hospital in Katete, which provides medical and surgical care to a local population of around 200,000 and also accepts referrals from the entire Eastern Province.

St Francis has had links with the Dunster Benefice for a number of years and a group of local people has just returned from a three-week trip helping to provide much needed new accommodation for volunteers.

Dunster Surgery practice manager Lorne Marshall said both Dr Michael and Dr Anne had been "absolutely staggered" at the amount donated.

"Money is still coming in so we don't know what the final figure will be," she said. "It was an amazing response and shows just how much they will be missed."

Grateful patients even stepped up to the mark to provide the refreshments for the party, baking cakes and quiches and making sandwiches to feed the guests.

Dr Michael and Dr Anne were presented with a small memento to remind of their time in Dunster - two bronze statues of hares - to add to the wealth of memories and good wishes.

"They are so grateful to everyone who donated money and who came along to the party," said Miss Marshall.

Porlock GP Dr Ian Kelham will be providing family doctor services in the Dunster area in the future, helped by Dr David Davies.

Dr Kelham was the successful bidder from around half a dozen submissions for the 2,200-registered patient practice.

Pictured from the left at the retirement party are, at the back, Lorne Marshall and surgery staff Jenny Lang, Helen Turley, Kath Marshall and Mandy Stevens; in front, Drs Michael and Anne Currie.

Photo: Steve Guscott.