CORONATION Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh is backing a fundraiser aiming to get residents drinking for a good cause - Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle.

Tea at Three is a nationwide event to raise money for hospice care, co-ordinated by national charity Help the Hospices and thousands of people are expected to throw tea parties.

Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle are hosting their own Tea at Three event on Friday from 2-4pm. Tickets are priced at £3, including a cream tea and there will be entertainment from the Moon and Castle band, a tombola, raffle and opportunity to view the facilities at Pendleside Hospice.

Elsewhere, members of the Colne and Nelson and the Fence fundraising groups are hosting Tea at Three events in their own homes this week.

Age Concern in Nelson is enjoying Tea at Three all week at the Pendle Day Care Unit, Walton Lane Community Centre, and will be making cakes to raise money.

In Colne, Mrs Doris Fryer will be hosting Tea at Three at her Manor Road home and in Barrowford, Marjorie Porter will be getting out the best china at Parrock House Retirement Home.

Oddies bakers are selling Tea at Three buns in all of their shops in Burnley and Pendle.

Local schools taking part include a party at St Leonard's in Padiham, on July 1, and Park Primary in Colne and Reedley Primary will both be brightening up the school with Wear Yellow days in recognition of the Hospice Sunflower campaign.

Tickets for the event at Pendleside on Friday are available from any one of the Hospice shops in the area. For information, call 01282 440100.