HOSPICE supporters are marking a decade of care with a Service of Thanksgiving next week.

More than 120 people connected with Butterwick Hospice Care are expected at St Peter's Chapel, Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland, next Sunday.

The town's Butterwick Hospice has supported more than 2,000 terminally-ill patients and their families since it opened in May 1995 in a former old people's home in Woodhouse Lane.

Mary Butterwick, who founded the John Butterwick Trust, the forerunner of Butterwick Hospice Care, is opening the service, which will be led by the Reverend Margaret Oxenham, chaplain to Butterwick Hospice Care.

One of the readings will be given by Nora Allison, whose daughter Julie was one of the first and youngest regular patients at Bishop Auckland, for two years until she died eight years ago aged 23.

The hospice also provides outreach care in community hospitals in Sedgefield, Stanhope and Barnard Castle and palliative home care throughout the Sedgefield and Durham Dales areas.

The hospice recently launched an aromatherapy service for multiple sclerosis sufferers and their carers.

Butterwick Hospice Care specialises in pain and symptom control, respite, day and home care, complementary therapies, bereavement care and offers support to both children and adults.

Chief executive Graham Leggatt-Chidgey said: "This will be a service of thanksgiving for all the help and support the hospice has received from the community it serves and for the love and dedication of staff and volunteers."