PIGEON racers have taken the St Richard's New Hospice Appeal to new heights with a donation of £1,500.

John and Ann Edwards, regional president and secretary of the 40,000-member Royal Pigeon Racing Association, visited the hospice in Rose Hill, Worcester, to present the cheque.

The money was raised during the pigeon racers annual show in Blackpool this year after the New Hospice Appeal was launched last year with the release of a rare white pigeon.

St Richard's director of fund-raising Marilyn Peachey said: "We are very grateful for this generous donation. Every penny donated brings our hospice a step nearer."

Campaigners are working to raise the remaining £1.05m for a new, state-of-the-art hospice near County Hall, Worcester.

The Building Beds Together campaign has now raised more than £4m of the £5.25 needed.