A NORTH-EAST hospice has set up a scheme to thank the businesses which support its work with terminally ill people.

Teesside Hospice, in Northgate Road, Middlesbrough, relies on financial contributions from companies to provide its specialist care.

Contributors will have their names displayed permanently at the hospice and will get a company link from the hospice Internet website to their own on-line service.

A newsletter with information about the hospice's fundraising partners will be sent out twice a year to about 20,000 homes in the area.

A hospice spokeswoman said: "Although most businesses and organisations have some commitment to helping local and national charities, they will usually look for additional benefits from their involvement with individual charities.

"With the Teesside Hospice partnership scheme there are many."

The hospice is hoping local businesses will get involved in the scheme and help cover the £2,500-a-day running costs