A GROUP of fund-raising Friends fanatics are spending this weekend stuck in a room glued to the television to watch the first 96 episodes of the hit American comedy from start to finish.

The eight volunteers risk a bad case of "square eye" syndrome after around 36 hours watching 24 videos of Joey, Monica and the rest of the cast in a bid to raise cash for Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle.

Hospice appeals manager Mark Sandamas, who joined the TV marathon, said: "I've been involved in a lot of fund-raising events but this must be the most unusual."

The TV "torture" was devised by self-confessed Friends fan Christine Ratcliffe, of Hapton, who put out an appeal for fellow "flatmates" to join her at Pendleside Hospice, Reedley.

The complete strangers, who should known each other well by the time they leave the hospice tomorrow afternoon, sat down in front of the box last night and switched on.

They are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds in sponsorship for the hospice.

"Because we'd all be up all day yesterday we decided to have a bit of a break last night but then try and watch right through tonight," said Christine. "Now we've actually started it's a bit daunting but I'm sure we'll get through it."

Rather than putting Christine off ever watching Friends again, she is planning to buy the fifth series of the sitcom to add to the first four that already have pride of place in her video collection.

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