DAY therapy services may have to be cut unless the East Lancashire Hospice can make up a predicted £27,000 shortfall by the end of this financial year, managers warned today.

They hope people who holding fundraising events will bear them in mind and are asking for individuals to help.

The Hospice, which reopened last January after a £2.2million rebuild, cares for patients from Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley. Money raised will help towards running costs and nursing and is vital for the service to continue.

Stuart Andrew, head of fundraising, said: "The appeal has gone very well this year and we are grateful to the public for being so generous. We are just two months away from the date when we will have to have raised £300,000 and we have £27,000 yet to find.

"If we don't get the final bit of money, it could have an impact on day therapy services.

"We realise that there are a great deal of demands on people's money but if people could just donate £1 each it would £1 less for us to worry about.

"Some people have told us us that they are going to hold events to help and we would be happy to help anyone else who wanted to do the same. Without the support of local people we would not be able to offer the vital services that we do to so many local people and families."

The hospice launched its in-house lottery two weeks ago at Blackburn Town Hall with Accrington-born stargazer Mystic Meg. The aim is to to sign up 2,400 members by the time of the first draw in April and 7,000 by the end of the year.

Stuart said: "Now that we are in our new building we have been able to offer an increase in services from increased day therapy places to complementary therapies and bereavement services.

"However, these come at a cost. It is likely that next year we will need to raise even more and that is why we are launching our own lottery, but this money is intended to be on top of our current targets."

To help, contact Stuart Andrew on 01254 660900 or send donations to East Lancashire Hospice, Park Lee Road, Blackburn, BB2 3NY. Lottery details on 01254 342847.