AN RAF veteran and long-time Welsh Blood Service volunteer is urging people to keep following the coronavirus lockdown rules as they apply in Wales, to prevent the NHS being put under intolerable pressure.

Brian Evans, 83, of Llanfach, Abercarn, is a staunch supporter of the NHS, for which his wife Rita, 81, worked for some 40 years, and which their son and daughter currently work for.

Mr Evans himself received an MBE some years ago for his services to the Welsh Blood Service, and Mrs Evans has a British Empire Medal in recognition of voluntary service to the community.

And anyone who happens upon the couple's hillside home at the moment will see how their support is demonstrated. Colourful banners festoon the property, thanking nurses and other NHS staff, and other key workers such as postal and school staff.

With the latest Clap for Carers just hours away, Mr Evans is keen that people combinedtheir enthusiasm to keep saying 'thank you' with a determination to stick to the social distancing and other lockdown rules.

These are now slightly different in England than those in force in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - but Mr Evans believes the rules in Wales should be adhered to.

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"I would make a plea for people to take notice of them. Coronavirus is very dangerous," he said.

"Anyone who saw the programme about the Royal Gwent Hospital (BBC Wales's Critical: Coronavirus in Intensive Care) will need no convincing of the need to support the NHS and to keep following the rules.

"If we don't follow the rules, I believe as they are here in Wales, then the pressure it will put on the NHS will put us in terrible trouble."

Of his displays of thanks to the NHS and other key services, Mr Evans said: "This is my celebration. They are doing a fantastic job, and they need our support.

"We are all in this together, and we all have our part to play."