ANYONE who has been abroad on holiday is likely to have a small collection of foreign coins about the house, ready for the next time they go overseas.

However, from January 1, next year, many Continental countries will be switching to the euro - and soon after, all those small coins will become virtually worthless.

While they will be not much use for the holidaymaker, they can be of huge benefit to St Leonard's Hospice, in York.

Hospice volunteer Brian Rey is asking for foreign coins to be donated to the cause.

He can use them to generate funds, which go towards running costs of the hospice. Since 1987, he has been encouraging people to hand over their old coins, used stamps and old postcards. He sells them to dealers, and has so far raised more than £12,000 for the hospice.

"It's no good hanging on to old European coins after the end of this year, so people can do some good now and let us have them to raise funds for St Leonard's.

"Empty those pots and purses, and gather those francs, marks, guilders and pesetas, and put them to work to help local people."

Coins, as well as used greetings cards and stamps, can be left at reception at the hospice, in Tadcaster Road, between 9am and 5pm, or at any of the hospice shops in the city.