DALES residents are showing their support for a new day hospice by launching a fundraising drive to buy new equipment.

The Durham Dales Primary Care Trust is developing the new centre at the Weardale Community Hospital in Stanhope.

Months before it opens, supporter Anita Savory, of Wolsingham, has set a £3,000 target to buy medical equipment and furnishings. As well as organising events she has written to businesses in the area asking for help.

Her efforts paid off when managers at two Weardale leisure parks pledged to buy special furnishings worth £2,000.

Ronnie Peters and Martin Woods, of the Heather View and Kingfisher Country and Leisure Parks, are giving the hospice a reclining and electrically operated chair and orthopaedic bed.

Mrs Savory said: "The new centre will be of huge importance to the dales communities and this contribution will benefit a number of patients."

A charity football match will be played on Easter Sunday at 11am, in Wolsingham recreation ground.