VILLAGERS are busy preparing for one of the most popular events of the year - a fund-raising day in aid of a Worcester hospice.

Now in its 17th year, the annual autumn coffee morning and evening in Peopleton, near Worcester, attracts hundreds of people eager to shop from a variety of locally run stalls selling goods such as scarves, Christmas decorations, knitwear, jewellery, and children's wear

The money raised will go to St Richard's Hospice.

There will also be cakes and produce, bring and buy, bric-a-brac, plants, and a tombola. Visitors will also be able to see the St Richard's annual raffle prize, a Honda Jazz car, and tickets will be on sale at £1 each.

Organiser Ann Price, a St Richard's fund-raising volunteer from Peopleton, said that what had started as a small event in her house had grown over the years and was now very well-supported.

"Lots of people in the village are involved in helping to run it and we hope to top £5,000 for the hospice this year," she said.

Money raised from the event will go towards the costs of providing the services of St Richard's Hospice, the adult hospice for patients and families in South Worcestershire who are living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Building work is under way on the new hospice near County Hall and campaigners are working to raise under £350,000 for the Building Beds Together campaign.

The event is on Thursday, October 27, from 10.30am to 2pm and 6.30pm onwards at Peopleton Village Hall.