A CHILDREN'S charity has been given a £20,000 boost thanks to a generous Rossendale housing company.

The cash was raised at a glittering charity dinner organised by the Rawtenstall-based Hurstwood Group.

All the money is being donated to Derian House Children's Hospice in Chorley.

The company's secretary Nicola Ashworth, who is married to group chairman, Stephen, said the event went beyond all expectations.

She added: "It was a phenomenally successful evening.

"We had hoped to raise around £10,000 and we actually doubled that amount which is great news for the hospice."

Mrs Ashworth told why they had chosen the hospice.

He added: "Derian House is a very worthy cause.

"It is a very special place run by a highly dedicated team. I am sure that this donation and the awareness raised on the night will be put to great use.

"Everyone at the Hurstwood Group worked hard to make sure it was a successful evening and we were also given a tremendous amount of support from many of our professional consultants, sub contractors and suppliers who sponsored the event."

Ian Minto, community fundraiser for Derian House, paid tribute to the generosity of the Hurstwood Group. He said: "It was a privilege for Derian House to be asked to share an evening with such a prestigious North West company as the Hurstwood Group.

"The evening reflected their professionalism and generosity.

"The money raised will go towards our continuing efforts towards supporting the families at Derian House and I would like to thank Hurstwood on behalf of those families and all the staff for their generosity."