A DAFFODIL-planting scheme to raise cash for cancer care in Worcestershire has proved a blooming success - smashing its £5,000 target months in advance.

Marie Curie Cancer Care launched its Field of Hope scheme, to plant 5,000 daffodils on Worcester racecourse in memory of loved ones, last September.

Residents were asked to donate a sum of money for the bulbs to be planted in the flowerbed - with the aim of the appeal raising £5,000 by the end of March, this year.

However, regional fund-raising manager Adela Shephard said the generosity of Worcestershire folk meant the charity had hit its target already, funding more than 300 hours of nursing care for cancer patients.

The appeal runs until Wednesday, March 31, and the charity now hopes to raise at least another £1,500 - which will help provide a further 100 hours of nursing care.

"We're absolutely thrilled - it's really wonderful to have hit it - especially two months early which, hopefully, means we're going to do even better than we thought," she said.

"It's just wonderful to think of all of the cancer patients in the Worcestershire area who are going to benefit from everyone's generosity."

Since the appeal was launched, more than 300 people have been remembered by their family making donations to the Field of Hope.

Volunteers helped plant the bulbs on Pitchcroft in November and the money raised from the scheme will help pay for nursing services. The names of the people the bulbs have been planted in memory of will feature in a book of remembrance to be kept at Worcester Racecourse when the appeal ends.

"We feel extremely honoured to be sharing in the memories people describe in their messages," said Mrs Shephard.

"Often they help you reflect on how much your own family means to you and I have to confess I shed a tear on one or two occasions."

More than 30 Marie Curie nurses currently work in Worcestershire, caring for terminally ill cancer patients in their own home.

It cost nearly £75,000 to provide nursing services in the county during 2002.

Anyone wanting to make a donation to the scheme can contact the local fund-raising team on 01905 427531 or fill in the coupon below.