A COUPLE who first met when they were thrown together during a gala fund-raising dinner have thanked organisers by asking people to donated money to the charity in place of wedding presents.

John and Vanessa Osborn ended up at the same table at the May Ball organised by Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle at Gisburn's Stirk House. They started chatting and before long realised they had a lot in common, including similar hobbies and interests.

At the end of the evening John, an accountant in Bath and living in Ross-on-Wye, exchanged telephone numbers with Vanessa, a teacher living in Barrowford, and during the next few months they kept in touch and met up. During one of his visits, John popped the question and to his delight Vanessa said yes.

They tied the knot on July 12 this year and decided to ask their friends and relatives for donations instead of wedding gifts and cards.

Their wish was granted and they managed to raise £1,280 for the hospice, as well as enough for a small donation to Rossendale Search and Rescue, which has been a life long hobby of John's. All the donations have been handed over to the Reedley-based Hospice in Colne Road.

Harry Grayson, promotions manager at the hospice, said: "It is a very generous gesture from John and Vanessa.

"And it made it extra special knowing that the happy couple met at the annual May Ball in aid of Pendleside.

"They are both very keen supporters of the hospice."