CRAVEN'S local hospice will benefit from the efforts of a new group launched this week in Cross Hills and Glusburn.

A group of 11 women have formed a support group for Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope, which needs around £1.5 million a year to run - 60 per cent of which comes from local fundraising.

It will be the second such group to be formed in the area - the Craven Support Group currently meets in Silsden and members are hoping that the new venture will encourage people elsewhere to follow suit.

Chairman Freda Myers is a member of both groups.

She said: "We have only just had our first meeting, and are holding our first event on August 30.

"It's not just about fundraising though, we want to raise awareness of what Manorlands does, and hopefully spread the idea up the Dales so that more groups form."

Margaret Nicholson, treasurer, said that most of the women had been touched by the work of the hospice, which caters for the Craven area as well as Keighley.

"My sister died there and I have cancer. Hopefully I won't end up there, but if I do, I won't mind because it is such a lovely place," she said.

Fundraiser David Gott said that he would be helping the group as much as he could. "Groups like this are very important to Manorlands, they contribute to raising the awareness of the different aspects of the hospice, as well as raising money for the care of the patients."

Cross Hills and Glusburn Manorlands Support Group will be holding a coffee morning, with a cake stall and raffle on August 30, at the OAP centre in Cross Hills, from 9.30am until 11am.

Its next meeting is September 2 and anyone who wishes to join or help in anyway should contact Mrs Myers on 01535 632351.