A BROMSGROVE cancer charity's festive appeal has been hit by a lack of donations.

Primrose Hospice's Lights of Love Appeal this year raised around £17,500, about £1,000 less than the previous year.

The festive tree stands in Mill Lane during the Christmas period and residents make it sparkle by donating cash for lights in memory of friends and family.

The campaign has been running for about nine years and in the previous three donations have gone up each year.

Lyn Winters, community fundraiser at the St Godwald's Road site, said: "This is the first year donations have dipped in the appeal.

"There were many appeals for money last year with the tsunami and the south Asian earthquake, so we think people are tired of giving money to charity."

Lyn said the dip in giving to charity was across the board and many other groups had also experienced problems.

"We rely entirely on the generosity of the people in the community to make this annual appeal successful," she said.

One scheme which did prove successful was naming a teddy bear. One hundred bears were sent to local businesses for staff and customers to take part and £6,000 was collected through this.

Residents can show the hospice their support this Saturday night by attending a Burns Supper at the New Guesten Hall, Avoncroft Museum, Stoke Heath.

There is a three-course dinner, speakers and a vocalist. Tickets cost £31 and are available from the fundraising office on 875444.