Street star kicks off Red Rose Festival

This year, Coronation Street actress Jodie Hamblet will be the first Red Rose Festival Princess for the month-long extravaganza to raise money for Bury Hospice.

The event will allow people to test their mental and physical strengths, as well as enjoy musical performances and treat themselves to food and drink.

Events include the Holcombe Hill Challenge on April 17. Participants can walk, run or crawl from the Hare and Hounds pub in Holcombe Brook up Holcombe Hill and all entrants will receive a certificate and the chance to win on-the-spot prizes.

For those preferring to test their mental prowess there is the Presidents Quiz Night, which opens the festival on Thursday.

On April 2 there will be a Red Rose Ball at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich with a reception at 7pm and a five-course dinner at 7:30pm.

And on April 17, St Georges Day, there will be a St Georges Day Old English Dinner and St Georges Day Concert at Radcliffe Civic Suite at 7:30pm.

The festival concludes with a chance for people to board a Pullman-style dining coach on the "Red Rose Special" on the East Lancashire Railway on April 29.

The festival, which is in its 13th year, raises about £30,000 each year for the hospice situated in Dumers Lane, Radcliffe.

Mervyn Reeves, hospice fund-raising manager, said: "This is our biggest fund-raiser of the year and there will be something for everyone and no excuse not to get involved!

"It is a fun festival to be part of. This year, we have done extremely well in securing the help of the highly acclaimed Smithills School Band for our 'Last Night of the Proms' St George's Day Concert."

To mark the Red Rose Festival and to help the hospice reach its target, local people can make a donation and buy a red rose from shops and other retail outlets throughout the borough.

For further information about the events or to book tickets, visit the fundraising centre at 89 The Rock, Bury or ring 01617971748.