A HOSPITAL tea round which was suspended because of safety fears is back on the wards and organisers are appealing new volunteers.

The tea trolley service run by the WRVS to provide a welcome cuppa to patients in Blackburn Royal Infirmary was suspended in July because of concerns about having a loose teapot on top of the trolley and large quantities of boiling water being carried about.

But now a new trolley has been bought by the hospital trust and the tea round was back in the out patients wards for the first time this week.

Project manager Maud Mayson said: "It is nice to be back. Both the volunteers and patients have missed the valuable service.

"I'd like to thank all the people who have stayed with the project, but we are still short of volunteers."

Men or women with a few hours to spare who are interested in getting involved should ring 01772 650020.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.