A GP has quit after 30 years at a Blackburn practice because he said he can no longer cope with a mounting tide of NHS red tape.

Dr Vasudevan Nataraj, 60, blamed the Government's obsession with targets and finance for his early retirement.

Patients at Ewood Medical Centre, which is staffed by two doctors, said it was "awful" and "shocking" that Dr Nataraj felt he had to leave and paid tribute to a "wonderful" GP.

Dr Nataraj, who was given a surprise party by thankful patients on his last day, said: "There has always been change but in recent years there has been a huge amount of change and some is driving me out of the job.

"I would probably have stuck in for a few more years but the bureaucracy is catching up and I can't keep up with it any more.

"The targets are not all for the benefit of the patient.

I feel strongly that a lot of these changes are for saving money, not for helping the patient and that goes against the principle of the NHS."

He went on: "In the last three years particularly it has been difficult to swallow, I have been over-burdened with management. We are being told every day what we can and cannot do. I understand we are spending public money but we need to be responsible and there needs to be a limit. It is coming from the Government; the local health authority is only following decisions made by Government."

The GP, who left India to train in Britain and joined the practice in 1976, was given a stirring send off by patients with a surprise party at the Bolton Road practice.

But they said they were angry that Dr Nataraj had been pushed into early retirement.

Christine Reidy, of Livesey Brand Road, said she had seen the GP since he began practising in Blackburn.

She said: "I think it is awful. They are pushing people who work for the NHS out of their jobs.

"We are losing a good doctor who we could have had for a bit longer.

"I can't imagine a future without him being here. He has always been there for me and my children."

Her son Chris, of Alexandra Road, Blackburn, was Dr Nataraj's final patient.

He said: "There are a lot of people bound up with too much paperwork these days.

"It is going to be a great loss, he will be really missed."

Mari Thompson, 46, said Dr Nataraj had helped her through a painful back condition which had forced her to give up work.

The resident of Thornhill Close, Blackburn, said: "I am really sad and emotional. I have been with him just short of 21 years and he has been wonderful.

"I can see why doctors are retiring because of the bureaucracy.

They have that much paperwork that the patient is lost in it all. It is shocking."

Barbara Clare, the practice manager paid tribute to a "fantastic" pro-fessional who was showered by patients and staff with presents at the surprise party. Mrs Clare said: "The NHS is not what it was. It is all statistics and paperwork. I have been here for 27 years and when we both started we were there for the patients, they always came first."

Another doctor is due to replace Dr Nataraj tomorrow.