HE juggles a £110 million budget and is in charge of thousands of staff, doctors and nurses.

But yesterday, the £100,000-a-year Royal Bolton Hospital boss, John Brunt, was getting no VIP treatment as he went back to the shop floor.

The high-flying executive swapped his plush office for the hectic life of a busy NHS reception and call centre -- and his staff were loving every minute of it!

He said: "The first thing I did was sit at the reception desk. I asked for a cup of tea, but they told me I couldn't have one!

"Apparently, no one is allowed to drink near the computers, the receptionist told me.

"It was 11am before I got a cuppa. I have normally had at least five by then!"

Mr Brunt, chief executive of the Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust, spent the day in the award winning eye unit at the Minerva Road hospital working alongside secretaries, office clerks and consultants.

His tasks included giving a warm welcome to new patients, filing post, and taking calls in the busy appointment booking centre at the eye unit.

Overworked staff feel that their efforts often go unnoticed and invited Mr Brunt to the front line.

Clerical officer Amanda Fox said: "I just invited him during a staff meeting because we were concerned about the lack of resources and increased workload.

"He is a very approachable boss who has no airs and graces. I wasn't surprised that he agreed to spend the day with us. He's that kind of manager."

Mr Brunt said his day had reminded him of his early career in 1974 as a clerical worker in Prestwich Hospital.

He said: "It was very useful. I got to hear and see things first hand. This is the most successful department in the hospital and it was great to come down and see what modernisation of the NHS really means to my staff and the patients."

Janet Caglyan, health records manager, added: "When the hospital gets praise, it is always the doctors and nurses that get the glory. It's never us.

"But we have had a great time showing Mr Brunt the ropes. Everyone has enjoyed it. Let's face it, there aren't many bosses that you would invite to spend the day in your department."