KEMP Hospice has seized a "golden opportunity" to deliver its dream of a new enlarged day care centre at a huge saving - and almost two years sooner than planned.

The hospice, currently based at cramped premises in Kidderminster's Sutton Park Road, has had a £650,000 offer for the Cedars Hotel on Mason Road accepted.

It had previously planned a purpose-built new centre on the existing site at a cost of £2.2 million but now all the envisaged facilities - including Wyre Forest's first ever specialist in-patient palliative care beds - will be delivered for "much less".

Kemp, which has been at its Sutton Road base for 21 years, currently provides daily respite care for about 12 people with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Staff and trustees refused to speculate on how much it will cost to convert the period 21-bedroomed building, which campaign manger John Fletcher said is in "extremely good condition".

But it will represent a massive saving and the new scheme also allows the present one-acre site to be sold, probably for housing, for more than £500,000.

Up to 18 day care patients could move into the new premises - which are larger than the planned purpose-built centre - by Easter, more than 18 months sooner than the previous target.

Support services, including occupational and physiotherapy and a wide range of complementary therapies, will make the move at the same time.

"I'm over the moon, and the patients will be gobsmacked," said Mr Fletcher. "The hotel's conservatory is the same area as the entire hospice at Sutton Park Road."

Hospice manager Michael Rowan added: "As opposed to a "maybe" two years down the road it's a "definite" now.

"We won't need to raise as much. We don't know how much yet - it's too early to say - but we've now already got the bricks and mortar.

"Some things will present us with significant savings. The new site has got beautiful landscaped gardens. In the original plans we set aside £27,000 for landscaping gardens."

The sale is subject to Wyre Forest District Council giving permission to a change of use for the building but the hospice had not "met any opposition" from planners so far.

The fundraising department plans to move in after Christmas and once the day care centre is in place, architects and builders will create the five-bed in-patient unit and overnight accommodation for patients' relatives.

Other facilities will include a permanent base for Macmillan nurses, funded by the hospice, therapy and treatment rooms and a multi-faith chapel.

Running costs will be no higher than the £800,000 a year envisaged for the purpose-built centre.

Mr Fletcher said the appeal's focus could now shift.

He added: "We will be asking people to support us to provide facilities for patients.

"In most hospices they provide what is called an Arro bath. It enables patients to walk into a bath and provides a frame for patients who can't walk.

"It costs £9,000."

Chairman of the trustees Dr Michael Taylor said: "This will provide enhanced accommodation beyond our wildest dreams and there will be a substantial financial saving allowing more resources to go into vital equipment and overall patient comfort."

Trustee Mrs McDowell added: "People have been so generous towards us and we feel confident they will continue to support us.

"This is good news on health care for the people of Wyre Forest for a change."