LIGHTS of love will be shining across Worcester when the annual St Richard's Hospice Christmas tree lights are switched on this month.

The celebration evening on Friday, November 18, will start with a special Service of Light at Worcester Cathedral at 7pm, followed by a candlelit procession to the Christmas tree at nearby St Andrew's Spire, Deansway.

Last year, 800 people filled the Cathedral for the service.

Worcester News readers are invited to dedicate a light for love - whether in memory of a loved one, celebration of a birth or for someone who will be absent this Christmas but is still in your thoughts.

For a donation, a light will shine on the St Richard's Hospice Christmas Tree throughout December.

Each chosen name will also be displayed in the Book of Thanksgiving in Worcester Cathedral in the run-up to Christmas, and also on display boards surrounding the tree at St Andrew's Spire.

St Richard's Hospice community fund-raiser Alison Weston said: "The lighting of the tree is a lovely event.

"Last year, lights were dedicated to almost 1,500 names and the tree looked magnificent. With such great support, we raised £12,000 towards the work of the hospice, which is a magnificent sum."

For the first time this year lights will also be shining in new hospice initiatives in Malvern and Droitwich.

There will be a dedication and switch-on at Victoria Square, Droitwich, on Thursday, December 1, at 5.30pm.

A service of Lights Of Love And Life will be held jointly with Hereford's St Michael's Hospice at Malvern Priory on Thursday, December 15, at 6.30pm, followed by the switching on of the lights.

If you would like to make a donation to dedicate a light pick up details at any of the St Richard's Hospice shops, call the fund-raising department on 01905 763963 or fill in the coupon below.