BIG-HEARTED Bromsgrove residents have helped the town-based Primrose Hospice set a new record for its annual Lights of Love remembrance campaign.

When the campaign closed on Monday close on £18,000 had been raised here and from Redditch, where a similar tree has been erected to the one that is nightly shining brightly in Mill Lane in the town centre.

Retired surgeon John Burman, from Alvechurch, chairman of the St Godwald's Road cancer help centre, declared it was a magnificent effort on the part of both towns.

"Giving is fundamental to our Christmas tradition and here at the hospice we are delighted to report the wonderful people of Bromsgrove and Redditch have given nearly £18,000 for our Lights of Love," he said.

Previously the best annual campaign, which has been running for eight years and which records round the base of the tree the names of loved ones and those who have made donations, was £16,500.

The hospice's community fundraiser, Lyn Winters, said she believed the reason was a greater understanding by the public of the work done by the hospice.

Cash has come in from as far away as New York. Another donation was made in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, while one light has been lit to remember a devoted pet dog.

Lyn added although the campaign, which is supported by the Advertiser/Messenger, has closed donations will still be gratefully received to allow the hospice, which costs £500,0000 a year to run, to continue to serve both towns.