MORE than 1,400 people braved the cold and rain to see the light they sponsored and dedicated to a loved one lit up at Pendleside Hospice.

Two special services were held over the weekend to switch-on an estimated 3,000 lights in the hospice's annual Light Up a Life campaign.

For the sixth year running people were invited to celebrate the life of a friend or family member who is no longer with them by sponsoring a light.

Everyone celebrating a life in this way is entered in a special book of remembrance, which is kept on permanent display at the hospice, in Colne Road, Reedley.

Since its launch in 1997, Light Up a Life has gone from strength to strength, and has become the hospice's biggest annual fund-raising event.

This year the appeal has raised a staggering £54,000 for the hospice - £14,000 more than last year's total.

Burnley Mayor Councillor Lilian Clark attended the service on Saturday afternoon to switch on the lights, with Pendle Mayor, Coun Mohammed Iqbal conducting Sunday's switch on.

Addressing the 600-strong crowd on Saturday Coun Clark said: "As we switch on these lights we remember our loved ones and the light each one of them brought to our lives and the lives of others.

"This is a beautiful occasion and a peaceful and important way to start our family festivities - my husband and I are honoured to share it with you."

Muriel Jobling MBE, chairman of Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle, welcomed people to the services and the prayers were led by Hospice chaplain, Reverend John Price.

Christina Cope, from the Hospice, said 'Light Up a Life' had been a great success.

She said: "It has been fantastic and it is all thanks to the people of Burnley and Pendle who have supported it."

The hospice also thanked the local businesses and organisations who sponsored the appeal, including Greenwoods Funeral Services, which sponsors the pin badges given to everyone who makes a donation, Co-operative Funeral Services, which sponsors the book of remembrance and PHL Conference Hire, which provided the PA and staging for the switch-on services, and the hospice staff and volunteers who helped at the services.