Tens of thousands of retired NHS doctors and nurses are being urged to return to work to help combat the coronavirus epidemic in the UK.
Letters have been posted to more than 65,000 retirees with officials admitting they are desperately needed to help bolster those on the ground as the death toll continues to rise.
Britain's virus fatalities hit 144 on Thursday with 40 more added, as Scotland's doubled and Northern Ireland recorded its first.
It was the country's joint highest daily death count, while cases sit at 2,695. Health Secretary Matt Hancock praised the "incredible fight" being put up by NHS and social care staff but said new recruits are needed to "further boost the ranks", reports the BBC.