ORGANISERS of a fundraising initiative for a new, purpose-built Kidderminster hospice are hoping to cash in on people's unspent foreign holiday currency.

The current Kemp care centre, for people with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, is due to be replaced within the next two years, increasing day places from 12 to 18. Philip Bushill-Matthews with hospice campaign manager, John Fletcher.

The overall cost of the project is £2.25 million, of which £1 million needs to be generated through fundraising.

One of Wyre Forest's MEPs, Conservative Philip Bushill-Matthews, called at the Shuttle/Times & News's Kidderminster office to launch the latest money-spinning scheme.

"After the summer holidays, many local people may have got European notes and coins left over," said Mr Bushill-Matthews.

"As these may lose their value unless they are converted into euros in the first few months of next year, this appeal is to encourage everyone to bring all their foreign coins - and especially notes - into the Shuttle/Times & News's offices whenever they are in town shopping over the next two months."

The campaign manager for the new hospice, John Fletcher, said a "very significant sum" could be raised over the next eight weeks.

"And, by the way, English notes and coins will be acceptable too," he said.