PENDLESIDE Hospice's chairman has stood down after 17 years in the job.

Muriel Jobling was one of the founding members of the hospice in Colne Road, Reedley, but decided it was time for a change.

She will now take more of a backseat role as its president

Muriel, 81, said: "It's a good time to change and plan for the future to ensure the continued well-being of the Pendleside Hospice."

She stood down at the annual general meeting of Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle and was presented with a voucher for a day of pampering at the Woodland Spa.

Muriel and her friends began the hospice movement in Burnley and Pendle in 1987 with a small day care unit.

They went on to create Pendleside Hospice with a ten bed in-patient unit, day therapy, and a 24-hour hospice at home service.

Vice-chairman David Brown will now replace Muriel at the helm and he paid tribute to her hard work and dedication.

He said: "The words Muriel and hospice have gone hand in hand for as long as most of us can remember. I expect that will continue for a long time. Without her the hospice would not be where it is today - at the forefront of palliative care.

"Muriel would be the first to admit it has been very much a team effort but without her strong leadership the team would not have played as well."