THEY say money doesn’t grow on trees, but East Lancashire Hospice has found a clever way to branch out.

The hospice has raised £2,807 through its first-ever ‘S’ann’tas Christmas Tree Collection’, which saw it collect 130 Christmas trees from local gardens, in exchange for donations.

The East Ribble District Freemasons, Senator Group and B&Q Blackburn all lent their support to the scheme, which was organised by Ann Dobson, one of the hospice’s day patients.

A public Facebook post on the East Lancashire Hospice account reads: “We would like to thank you all so much for your support and donations all of which will go directly to the provision of patient care both in the hospice and out in the local community.”

To support the hospice, see eastlancshospice.org.uk/fundraising