Pharmacy staff in Cheshire have paid tribute via social media and in the local press to registered checking technician Mandy Siddorn, 61, who died last week after contracting the coronavirus.

Swettenham Chemists, who have branches across Cheshire and the Wirral and North Wales, said on Friday on its Facebook page: "It is with much sadness that we acknowledge the loss of one of our Swettenham ‘family’, Mandy, who passed away as a result of contracting coronavirus. Mandy worked across our Wirral and Chester branches as a registered checking technician, and did so with outstanding professionalism and accuracy.

"We are all devastated by this tragic loss and our thoughts go out to all who knew her. Mandy is being remembered as a loyal, hardworking, dedicated and joyous friend to all of us. Yesterday was probably the hardest day the teams have ever faced. Every single member of staff dealt with their emotions in order to get on with the task in hand to dispense the medication our patients need.

"Our admiration for the team’s professionalism and loyalty knows no bounds. We could all feel Mandy’s presence and her bustling good humour urging us on.”