A CHARITY set up by fishermen's wives has folded after 40 years.

The Fishermen's Wives Association raised £500,000 for Scarborough General Hospital.

The association was master-minded by the late Maggie Mainprize after several spells in the hospital.

She and other fisher-wives ran a shop in the old town area, and staged fairs and events to provide the hospital with equipment that its normal budgets could not afford.

Secretary Jean Mainprize said the decision to close down the charity was partly because there are now fewer fisher-wives because of the decline in the industry, and it was increasingly difficult to find volunteers.

"We feel we have helped the hospital provide Scarborough residents with an even better standard of care. We have bought a great deal of equipment and I'm sure it has helped save many lives."