An anaesthetist who has helped tens of thousands of patients through operations is retiring.

Anaesthetic consultant Dr Quentin Robinson, one of the early pioneers of the idea of pain clinics, will leave the post at Wharfedale Hospital at Otley this month.

Originally from Cumbria, and trained in Edinburgh, Dr Robinson, right, worked in Nigeria and then came to Leeds as a senior registrar.

He was appointed in January 1973 to what was then known as the Wharfedale and Ilkley Hospitals group.

Over his career Dr Robinson has always been based in Otley but has also worked at a number of other hospitals, as well as giving dental anaesthetics in the community.

Looking back over 35 happy years, he said his fondest memory would be of the colleagues he has worked with and the special atmosphere in the hospital.

He said: "The size of the hospital and the team means we all know one another and work well together.

"Here there isn't room for people to be grand - everyone just gets on with the job and supports each other."

Another long-serving member of Wharfedale Hospital, consultant gynaecologist Martin Glass, who has worked with Dr Robinson for around 30 years, said: "It is the team working so well together that makes it such a pleasure to do sessions here.

"Dr Robinson has made a great contribution to the theatres at Wharfedale over very many years and will be greatly missed by everyone."