A WOLVERLEY farmworker's winter evening pastime has resulted in a boost to the coffers at Kemp Hospice.

Ken Evans, of Castle Hill Farm Cottage, has been hand-making carpets as a hobby for the past 20 years.

He said: "It just passes the time during the long dark winter nights. All you need is patience."

He buys the kits from a Yorkshire company and gets busy with a needle similar to a crocheting hook.

"The carpets are made using a knotting technique."

Usually, he gives them to family and friends but recently he was given eight unfinished carpets by a friend who had been left with them following the death of a relative.

He decided to finish these and has now donated them to Kemp Hospice.

Alan Ireston, hospice fund-raising manager, said he was delighted with the rugs, which would be auctioned or used as raffle prizes.

Anyone who has wondered what it would be like to have a psychic reading will have the opportunity to give it a try and raise money for the hospice at the same time.

Two members of Kidderminster's Sons of Rest Spiritualist Church, Glenda Backhouse and Pauline Hemming, are holding a charity fun day with an unusual twist - experienced working mediums will be on hand to give private sittings.

Mrs Backhouse, 53, of Elmley Close, Kidderminster, who lost her 56-year-old sister to bowel cancer in February this year said: "We will charge £10 for each sitting. This is a very good price because usually it costs around £20."

She said all proceeds from the readings, apart from the mediums' expenses, would go to Kemp Hospice.

To book a slot with a medium, telephone either Mrs Backhouse on 01562 823454 or Mrs Hemming on 01562 637353.