FOR OUR latest Pride of East Lancashire Award we are looking to find the area's outstanding volunteer.

One place where volunteers are particularly important is the East Lancashire Hospice where their time and kindness makes a huge difference to patients and carers.

The specialist care unit for patients with life threatening illnesses is run by 51 members of staff and 120 volunteers.

These voluntary workers cover a wide range of duties to support full and part time paid staff in making life better for patients.

Olive Bolton, voluntary services coordinator, said: "Voluntary workers have an extremely valuable role within the Hospice, not only in the duties they perform, but also in the way in which they add to the warm and friendly atmosphere of the Hospice which benefits both patients and carers.

"The word 'hospice' can be quite frightening but we don't want it to be like that. We don't promise to cure everyone but hope to relieve symptoms and help people through a difficult time of their lives.

"While nurses are happy to spend time with the families. they still have basic care duties to do and the volunteers have the time to help out and sit and listen and be supportive.

"Having all the volunteers in different areas eases the pressure on staff so they have more time to provide extra care which makes everyone happy."

To nominate someone for the Outstanding Volunteer Award complete a coupon or log onto www.thisislancashire.co.uk before September 30.