A MATRON swapped her thermometer for a hard hat and trowel to lay the foundation stone for the new extension of St Catherine's Hospice.

Elizabeth Swarbrick was chosen for the honour for her long service and loyalty to the hospice in Lostock Hall, near Preston. The former midwife has been caring for terminally ill patients since St Catherine's opened in April 1985.

Elizabeth will retire late next year and hopes to take up a former post teaching midwifery in Uganda. She lived there for seven years before coming to St Catherine's. She said: "My experiences taught me a lot about myself and brought me close to the bereaved. Working at the hospice was the next natural step.

"I feel honoured to have been chosen to lay the foundation stone. I am amazed at how much the community supports St Catherine's. Every time we need to move services forward, the locals rally round and help us reach our targets.

"The success of the Hospice is down to the people who have worked here and the public."

The £1.3 million extension is well ahead of schedule and could be ready early next year.

The ceremony also featured a touching dedication and blessing of the building by Reverend Alan Hunt, the hospice's honorary chaplain. Preston, Chorley and South Ribble mayors and mayoresses were also at the event.

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