THE Primrose Hospice will be taking over the running of the visitors' coffee shop at Blakenhurst Prison from Tuesday.

For the last decade, the service has been provided by the WRVS, which is withdrawing due to a change in its operational strategy.

The WRVS approached the hospice last year to ask volunteers if they would be interested in taking over the service to help boost their funds.

The hospice will provide the service at the prison 362 days a year offering beverages and snacks to the family and friends of inmates during visiting hours and prison staff will be able to take advantage of the service outside of normal hours.