ONE of the region's representatives in Brussels has dropped into Kemp Hospice to pledge support.

Liz Lynne, the Liberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands, met patients and staff on her first visit to the Sutton Park Road centre in Kidderminster.

"Kemp Hospice is a demonstration of best practice and shows what can be achieved," she explained. "I was very impressed by what I saw, especially the occupational therapy and the bereavement support which I think is extremely important."

Miss Lynne said it was unlikely EU funding could be secured for the £2.2 million appeal to build a new home for the hospice.

But she added she would make herself available for fund-raising events to drum up cash for both running costs and the building appeal.

"I will certainly help them if I can," she said.