NEARLY 20 years of support for Bury Hospice has been recognised with the award of a framed certificate to the Bury Times Group.

The Radcliffe-based hospice is celebrating ten years since its opening but fundraising for the Dumers Lane building began back in the early 1980s.

And officials said a "thank you" to the Bury Times Group by presenting us with a framed certificate to mark our efforts in supporting and covering the work of the Hospice.

Hospice chairman Mr Colin Caffrey is pictured presenting the certificate to Mr Bill Allen, Bury Times group editor, with (from left) Karen Spibey (reporter), Mrs Margaret Robinson (hospice trustee), Terry Morgan (reporter), Saiqa Chaudhari (reporter), Roy Bolton (chief photographer) and Mr Mervyn Reeves (hospice fund-raising manager).

Over the years, the Bury Times Group has continued to promote the ideals of hospice care and support and publicise the many fund-raising events which help to offset running costs of around £750,000 a year.