Residents are being urged to 'shine a light' tonight to mark International Nurses Day (12th) and recognise the extraordinary work that nurses are doing in the fight against coronavirus.

The day also marks on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, who founded modern nursing and pioneered infection control, but is also famous for her lamp.

This afternoon, Cornwall Council wrote on social media:

"This International Nurses Day we send thanks to each and every nurse throughout Cornwall.

"You can show your appreciation by putting a light, or drawing of a light, in your window at 8:30pm tonight.

"Light is a visible symbol of welcome, hope & warmth. Let's 'Shine a Light' for them."

2020 has been made International Year of the Nurse to mark the bicentenary of Florence's birth.

Ruth May, England's top nurse, has joined other senior nursing leaders in urging people to shine a light from their window at 8:30pm on Tuesday to mark the day.

Thousands of former nurses have returned to help the NHS with the greatest health emergency in its history, and thousands more students have done their bit in the battle against Coronavirus through choosing to take up extended clinical placements.

To mark International Nurses Day and Florence Nightingale's bicentenary, an image of her and a message of thanks will be projected on to her place of work, St Thomas's Hospital, from the Houses of Parliament.