IT may not have seemed like it this weekend, but spring is on its way and with it the opportunity to raise funds for Burnley and Pendle Hospice Care.

Pendleside Hospice, Reedley, is appealing to gardeners to help them raise money for the annual garden party and plant sale by growing an extra tray of plants for them to sell.

It will be the 10th annual plant sale this year and will be held on Saturday, May 25.

All the plants are usually grown at the Barrowford home of John Whitford and Brenda Ellis. But Mr Whitford has been dogged by ill-health and fears he may not be able to grow sufficient plants to meet the huge demand the sale attracts.

The first sale was at his home, then in Rosehill, Burnley, with just 67 trays of plants.

Since it moved to the hospice site the number has grown into the hundreds.

Kaye Bartle, fund-raising manager at the hospice, said: "John and Brenda have done a marvellous job over the years working non-stop to ensure there were enough plants for the sale.

"Even though this year John hasn't been able to plant as many seeds, he is still keen that the hospice doesn't lose out and is asking people to help him by growing an extra tray when planting out their own seeds."

Plants can be left at hospice reception on the day of the sale, or the day before. Further information can be obtained from the hospice fund-raising department on 01282 440102.