Earl and Countess of Wessex delight hospice patients

Eight-year-old Kayleigh Moir a spent a week practising her curtsey before she handed over white roses to the Countess of Wessex.

Kayleigh was chosen as guest of honour to greet the Sophie and Edward, Countess and the Earl of Wessex, on their visit to the Park Lee Road site in Blackburn.

They met patients, staff, volunteers and civic dignitaries as well as unveiling a plaque commemorating the official opening of the newly-refurbished hospice, which provides a day care centre and also treats the terminally ill.

The hospice treated Kayleigh's stepfather Colin Lord for cancer before he died in November last year and her family has made many firm friends at the hospice.

Her mum Karen Lord said: "It's was such an honour. The hospice offered us a lot of help and support at a difficult time and I can't speak highly enough of all the staff and volunteers.

Kayleigh, who goes to Avondale Primary School, Darwen, said: "She was very nice. She asked me if I was having a half day off school or a full day and I said a full day."

The Earl and Countess spent an hour touring the building's in-patient and day therapy centre before stopping off for lunch. The £2.2million revamp was finished in January 2002.

In-patient Brian Wood, who has suffered from lung cancer and a brain tumour, and his wife Marlene, of Darwen, spent five minutes chatting to the Countess.

Marlene said: "She seemed so natural and such a caring person."

In the physiotherapy room in the day centre, patient Myna Stone of Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn chatted to the Countess.

She said: "It's the first time I've ever met royalty and she's very nice."

The day therapy activity room Sophie and Edward were drawn to the oil painting being done by patient Anne Whittle.

She said: "It's my first attempt at oil painting but they both said they liked it!"

Hospice manager Lyn Stevenson said: "The visit has set the seal on our refurbishment and it has been a wonderful day."