HUNDREDS of people remembered their loved ones in Worcester Cathedral on Friday when St Richard's Hospice held its annual Light of Love services.

Light of Love has been held for many years, and is becoming increasingly popular as the years go by, says hospice chief executive Mark Jackson.

"Because so many people want to come to the service, last year for the first time we had two services, an afternoon one which attracted about 400, and the evening one, with about 1,200 filling the cathedral.

"This year, true to form, we had about 500 in the afternoon and the cathedral was once again full, with about 1,200 in the evening."

Lights of Love allows those who have lost a loved one to dedicate a light on the hospice’s Christmas tree in St Andrew’s Spire, Deansway, in exchange for a donation of their choice.

Last year lights were dedicated to more than 2,500 names and the campaign raised more than £30,000 to fund the work of the hospice.

The cathedral services included readings, hymns and reflections, and the evening service concluded with a procession to the nearby spire, where the lights of the tree were switched on.

"Many of the people attending the services have had loved ones taken care of by the hospice, so it's quite an emotional occasion," said Mr Jackson.

Last year the hospice provided help and care for some 2,000 people, most of them in their own homes.

Further services will be held at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Droitwich, on Tuesday, November 25, at 6pm, Pershore Abbey, a new venue for this year, on Thursday, November 27, at 2.30pm and at Great Malvern Priory on Tuesday, December 2, at 6pm.

Senior fundraiser Alison Parkes said: "These services are deeply appreciated by the hundreds of people there - many of whom are the families and friends of people who are, or who have been, cared for by St Richard's.”

There is still time to dedicate a light to a loved one. Forms can be downloaded from the hospice website and returned to St Richard's Hospice shops by Monday, December 8, or the hospice itself at Wildwood Drive by Monday, December 15.

For those that wish, names of those lost will be printed in the Worcester News on Wednesday, December 24. To make a dedication online, visit strichards. org. uk/lightsoflove.