HUNDREDS gathered at Worcester Cathedral to remember their loved ones at the first of this year's Lights of Love services.

The afternoon and evening Cathedral services on Friday were the first of five to be held in the county during the next few weeks.

Every year over the festive period, Lights of Love allows those who have lost a loved one to dedicate a light on the hospice’s Christmas tree in St Andrew’s Spire, Deansway, in exchange for a donation to St Richard's Hospice.

The names of loved ones are written on boards around the Spire as well as listed in Books of Thanksgiving placed in Worcester Cathedral, The Priory in Malvern, Pershore Abbey and Droitwich Library.

Lights of Love services include readings, music and a time for quiet reflection to remember those no longer with us.

Around 500 people attended the afternoon service at the cathedral, which also featured the choir from Kings Hawford School.

More than 1,000 then attended the evening service which included readings and singing by the RGS choir. After the evening service, many attended the Christmas tree light switch on.

The Lights of Love were switched on by Tom Groves who was remembering his father Nick who had been cared for by St Richard’s.

St Richard’s Hospice’s senior fundraiser, Alison Parkes, said: “The cathedral services and the lighting of the tree are deeply appreciated by many people.

"It is a very moving experience where people are united by their shared experience of missing someone dear.

"We have already received more than 2,200 dedicated names and donations for Lights of Love and more than £37,000 towards our care of patients and their families."

The next Lights of Love service will be held at the Sacred Heart Church in Droitwich on Tuesday, November 17, from 6pm, featuring a performance from Dodderhill School's choir.

A service takes place at Pershore Abbey on Wednesday, November 25, at 2.15pm including a performance from professional singer Paula Evans, and another service is being held at The Great Malvern Priory on Tuesday, December 1, at 6pm with a performance from Malvern St James School choir.

There is still time to make a donation for a loved one by visiting the hospice's website, strichards.org.uk/lightsoflove, or call 01905 763963.

If desired, the dedicated names will be printed in the Worcester News' Christmas Eve edition.