Hundreds of NHS staff across Test Valley can now get their hands on discounts at shops and businesses for their "outstanding care" during the coronavirus pandemic.

Andover-based company, The Lifestyle Card, has teamed up with Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) to deliver 800 cards to NHS workers, including doctors, nurses and paramedics.

Now NHS staff will have access to offers at nearly 500 businesses for food and drink, health and wellbeing, shopping, hair and beauty, sports and leisure and pet services.

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Company directors at The Lifestyle Card, Sean and Fiona Caruana, said: “We wanted to thank our local NHS staff for their strength and selfless support in these unprecedented and challenging times.

"By joining forces with Test Valley Borough Council we have been able to deliver Lifestyle Cards to hundreds of local NHS workers as a small gesture of our appreciation.”

Leader of TVBC, cllr Phil North, said: “We cannot begin to thank our NHS workers enough for their outstanding care, commitment and sacrifice as they battle one of the most challenging health crises our country, and the world, has ever faced.

"I’m really grateful to The Lifestyle Card for working with us and this gesture is just one of the ways we hope to show our gratitude for their incredible work."

Hampshire Chronicle: Cllr Phil NorthCllr Phil North

Primary care commissioning manager at NHS West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Lande Newton, said: “We would like to sincerely thank the generosity of both The Lifestyle Card and Test Valley Borough Council for this generous and unexpected offer.

"We have felt so much support from the Andover Vision team, the Andover community in general, and from all the volunteer and faith organisations that work with us to help combat the problems coronavirus has brought into our community.”

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Although there are restrictions on trading, many businesses are still offering their services – and with the card lasting until December, NHS staff will be able to use it long after lockdown is over.

The Lifestyle Card helps to promote and support businesses in the area, encouraging residents to spend money in their community.