BUSINESS leaders are being urged to help secure the future of hospice services in Hartlepool after statistics showed the town's need for care was 30 per cent above the national average.

Sixty leading business figures from the region will today attend the launch of Hartlepool and District Hospice's Guild of Patrons, and will hear how the town has the seventh greatest need for hospice services of the 152 primary care trust areas in England.

The guild aims to raise £150,000 a year to implement a strategic development plan.

Hospice officials are keen for more businesses to pledge £5,000 a year over three years.