BUNNIES galore hopped along to Worcester Woods Countryside Centre in Spetchley for a special family event in aid of St Richard's Hospice.

The Easter bunny fun run attracted more than 360 entrants of all ages who raised £850 on the day - and with sponsorship still coming in it is hoped the event will top £1,000.

St Richard's Community fund-raiser Alison Weston said it was a really enjoyable day with lots of people wearing costumes or bunny ears.

"The sun shone, everyone had fun and music from Classic Hits added to the atmosphere," she added.

"I would like to thank everyone who turned out to make it such a great event and raise such a fantastic sum towards the work of the hospice. We're hoping to hold the event again next year and welcome even more bunnies."

The Countryside Centre is opposite the site of the new St Richard's Hospice which is due to start being built this summer.

The new, state-of-the-art hospice will combine all the current services offered to patients and families by St Richard's, with 15 specialist palliative care beds, which are desperately needed but not currently available in the area. Campaigners are well on the way to raising the £5.25m required but more is needed to ensure the hospice can open for patients in 2006.