SHOPPERS at Homebase in Hylton Road were in for a sweet surprise last week when a massive Toblerone was raffled in aid of St Richard's Hospice.

Staff at the store made a splash by wearing colourful T-shirts instead of their usual uniform, as well as selling raffle tickets for the 4.5kg chocolate treat. Homebase has adopted St Richard's as its charity of the year. Charity co-ordinator Jean Marshall said staff made a donation to St Richard's Hospice in order to wear a bright T-shirt.

"They really enjoyed dressing down and raising money at the same time.

"The huge Toblerone was very popular with our customers - and staff!" The Toblerone raffle raised £89.67.

Campaigners are working to raise the remaining £400,000 needed to build a new £5.25m state-of-the-art hospice near County Hall, Worcester.

The new St Richard's Hospice will then be able to offer all the current services and 15 desperately needed hospice beds.