THE campaign to light up Bromsgrove in memory of a loved one has received a tree-mendous response.

Donations totalling £6,500 have already rolled in for the Lights of Love campaign which is making a Christmas tree sparkle in the town centre and raising money for the Finstall-based Primrose Hospice and Cancer Help Centre.

It is the fifth year running your No.1 community newspaper, the Advertiser/Messenger, has supported the appeal and so far we are on target to beat last year's total of £10,000.

And the hospice looks set to gain even more cash thanks to new regulations.

It is now possible for the hospice to reclaim tax paid on each contribution to Lights of Love.

For every £1 donated the hospice can claim an additional 28p, making the contribution £1.28, for £5 it would be £6.41 and a £10 donation becomes £12.82.

The St Godwalds's Road-based centre, which is set to expand, provides care and support for cancer patients, their families and friends.

Everyone who donates to the appeal can have one of 3,000 lights lit up in memory of friends and family.

The names of donors and loved ones will be printed on boards around the tree's base and also kept in a book of remembrance at Bromsgrove Methodist Centre, in Stratford Road.

Hospice patron Viscount Cobham has donated the Norwegian spruce which is in Mill Lane. The lights will shine until Twelfth Night.

Primrose special events co-ordinator Des Blee said: "Everyone can make a donation to the campaign." For more information call Des on (01527) 875444.