NEW year celebrations at a Chinese restaurant helped raise £1,650 for the East Lancashire Hospice appeal.

The Ocean Palace, Darwen, was fully booked for the three-night special celebration heralding the Year of the Dragon earlier this month, when dancers in traditional costume performed Lion dances and magicians entertained at Chinese banquets.

Profits from the events, including proceeds from nightly raffles, were given to the £1.3million appeal for better day-care facilities at the Park Lee site, Blackburn. Owner Tony Chan is pictured presenting a cheque to fund-raiser Stan Whyte at the restaurant.

If you want to help the appeal, call the East Lancashire Hospice Appeals Office on 01254 660900 or Amy Binns at the Lancashire Evening Telegraph on 01254 678678 extension 208.

Donations can be made at any NatWest branch into the East Lancashire Hospice Fund Day Care Unit Appeal account, sort code 01-00-85 a/c 12804509.

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