HUNDREDS of people turned out for the switching on of the St Richard’s Hospice Lights of Love in Droitwich.

The evening began at St Andrew’s Church on the corner of High Street before the switch-on of the tree in Victoria Square.

The lights were lit by Mike Hardisty, of Droitwich, whose late wife Julie was a patient of St Richard’s and switched on the lights herself in December 2007.

Dodderhill School Choir sang and the Salvation Army provided the music.

Mulled wine and mince pies were donated by Lloyds TSB bank.

The names of loved ones will be displayed on boards at Droitwich Library.

St Richard’s Hospice senior community fund-raiser Alison Parkes said: “It was a lovely and moving event and we were delighted with the number of people who came along, despite the weather.

“We already have more than 2,000 names dedicated in our Lights of Love, with donations of more than £23,000 so far towards the work of the hospice – a magnificent sum.”

People can continue to dedicate a light for love – whether in memory of a loved one, celebration of a birth or for someone who will be absent this Christmas – until noon on Thursday, December 17.

For more details, visit strichards.org.uk/lights oflove or call 01905 763963.