A leading Tory is stepping in to help a cash-strapped hospice.

Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate David Senior, whose Shipley constituency includes Denholme and Cullingworth, is walking across Morecambe Bay to raise funds for Manorlands.

Mr Senior is keen to show his support for the Sue Ryder cancer hospice after a funds deficit of £161,000 was reported at its recent annual meeting.

He says: "Hospices like Manorlands provide much more than medical care and pain relief for the terminally ill.

"Their spiritual ministry enables those approaching the end of life to discover the love of God reflected in care of wonderful staff and in many cases the hope which comes from renewed faith in the life which is to come."

Mr Senior adds that he also admired Manorlands' support to families and allowing patients to spend their last days at home.

"This work is of incomparable value and it must be allowed to continue," he says.

Mr Senior has supported the hospice movement since 1985 when he raised funds with a sponsored expedition up Mount Kilimanjaro.

He paid a fact-finding visit to Manorlands this week to discuss the hospice's needs.

Members of the Shipley Manorlands support group will join him on the Morecambe trek on August Bank Holiday Monday.