A TALENTED young musician joined Rotarians and Inner Wheelers in Worcester on Saturday to collect cash for St Richard's Hospice.

Thirteen-year-old Sam Pagett, who is a regular performer around Worcestershire, offered his services to support Worcester Severn Rotary Club's drive to raise £54,000 for a family suite at the new hospice now being built.

This will provide overnight accommodation for relatives visiting patients. Sam's father died three years ago and the teenager from Stourport-on-Severn inherited his saxophone, as well as a share of his talent.

He was among about 30 volunteers working two-hour shifts on the collection in the city centre. "We collected more than £1,500 and we were delighted," said Rotarian Alwyn Davies.

"We have to thank the people of Worcester for their continued generosity, especially bearing in mind the tsunami appeal in the early part of the year and the recent Pakistan earthquake appeal."