WORCESTER’S Lights of Love has already raised £23,000 for St Richard’s Hospice.

The annual celebration, in which people dedicate Christmas tree lights to loved ones, is proving to be hugely popular.

So far, 2,406 people have dedicated lights in memory of those who have died, in celebration of births and for people who will be absent this Christmas but still in their thoughts.

Alison Parkes, senior community fund-raiser for St Richard’s Hospice, said: “We just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far.

“We’ve raised £23,000 and we’ve had 2,406 dedications, which is up on last year.”

People can dedicate lights in return for a donation of their choice until Thursday, December 17.

The lights will shine out from the Lights of Love tree underneath St Andrew’s Spire in Deans-way, Worcester, throughout December and a list of all the dedications will be printed in your Worcester News on Christmas Eve.

Earlier this month hundreds of people attended the lights switch-on.

They took part in a candlelit procession and special service at Worcester Cathedral.

There will be a similar service at Malvern Priory on Tuesday, December 15.

For more information about Lights of Love and how to dedicate a light, visit strichards.org.uk/ lightsoflove or call 01905 763963.