The hospital, in Thorpe Road, marked the milestone by throwing open its doors to the public on Sunday, July 5th.

Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Nik Patten and Mayor of Peterborough councillor Pat Nash welcomed the visitors.

Feature: Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the NHS
As the NHS celebrates its 60th birthday on July 5th, Hannah Gray chats to a long-serving surgeon about the changes he has seen. 4 July 2008
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Cllr Nash said: "It is just incredible to be here and see so much going on.

"The hospital staff should be very proud of what they do here.

"I have been here both as a patient and as a councillor and I have not got a bad word to say about the work done. I am delighted to be here today."

The day featured a mixture of behind-the-scenes tours of clinical and support areas and fun activities for children.

By 11am, normally quiet corridors were ringing with laughter.

At the Well Teddy Clinic, youngsters' cuddly pals could get a full health check, including having their blood pressure taken, and tots queued up to ensure their furry friends were given the all-clear.

Children also queued up to get their arms plastered and look at X-rays of different parts of the body.

At the 999 Club, Sister Jo Walker and Sister Michelle Tee were on hand to help children become comfortable with basic hospital procedures.

Sister Walker explained: "We show them what happens if we have to do stitches or bandages so when they have to come in for real it seems less scary. We also do preventative stuff, such as making sure kids wear cycle helmets ."

The Medical Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT) had people dressing up in special outfits and showing off the kit they carry around.

Parents brought along their children to get their first experience of a hospital.

Oliver Forder, from Werrington, who took his son, Joshua (5), said: "I have been an out-patient here for three years as I have an auto-immune disease, sarcoidosis and I have been well looked after here. It's nice to come and look round in a fun way rather than as a patient."

From skin protection advice to midwifery, the open day gave an insight into all the different aspects that make up the trust.

Communications manager Jason Hill said: "It was a great chance for children to come along as they are the patients of the future. It was also a chance for people to see some areas of the trust they would not normally have access to."

Public governor for the trust Mark Bush added: "People forget that the NHS is a caring organisation, here to help people 24/7. It's great we have had such a good response."