A PENSIONER cried tears of joy after her care home arranged a surprise outing with her daughter amidst the easing of covid restrictions for care home residents.

Irene Payne was met with a glass of Prosecco as she was wheeled through the halls of Fernhill House Care Home last Thursday. This was her first time leaving the home since March last year. Sandra Pocock, her daughter, said, "To see the look on Mum’s face was just amazing and something I will always treasure. It’s given her such a lift and I am so very grateful to the team at Fernhill House for everything they have done for Mum.".

Jo Bennet, the home's general manager, said, “It’s always been our priority to keep loved ones almost cocooned inside our care home to be as safe as possible. Being able to reunite a Mother and Daughter to enjoy the simple pleasure of a walk together outside of the home, has been such a special moment for us all".