A FRENCH restaurant has served up nearly £7,000 towards a children's hospice appeal.

Dominque's, in Shatterford, near Kidderminster, has hosted an annual charity event for the Acorns hospice charity for the last five years.

The hospice is currently being built on the outskirts of Worcester. The restaurant raised £1,725 at its most recent fund-raising supper, bringing the overall total generated to £6,725.

Dominque Saley, the restaurant's owner, said: "Acorns is a special place for special children. The facilities and care on offer are superb and the new hospice in Worcester will mean that Acorns will be able to help many more local families."

Mr Saley decided to support Acorns after visiting the charity's first hospice in Selly Oak, south Birmingham.

The project is now in its final stages of fund-raising to build a new 10-bed hospice. The complex will provide care and support for 250 children and their families across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

Facilities at the hospice will include a hydrotherapy pool, multi-sensory rooms and family rooms.

Acorns has also appointed Angela Mercer as head nurse for the unit. She will oversee the operation of the new hospice and manage the nursing team.

It is hoped the Worcester hospice will be completed by December and welcome families early next year.

Anyone interested in more information about how to help Acorns can call 01905 767676.