UPPER Wharfedale residents have set up a new support group for Manorlands Hospice.

The Wharfedale Support Group was formed following a coffee morning at Hebden Village Hall organised by local woman Hanneke Dye.

The first fundraising event takes place at Burnsall Village Hall on Thursday, when the group will stage a coffee morning at 10.30am. One of the charity's fundraisers will give a talk about Sue Ryder Care and Manorlands at 11am and there will also be a raffle and a cake stall. Entrance is £1.50.

Manorlands fundraiser, Sharon Link, said: "This is great news for Sue Ryder Care as it is three years since we've had a new support group for the hospice.

"Wharfedale Support Group is made up of people from various villages around Wharfedale, which will help us to promote the charity in line with the area that we take patients from.

"The charity needs £8 million this year to fund its care centres in Yorkshire, so our support groups are very important to us. We are also looking to start a group in Skipton and have one person interested at the moment."

The hospice, based at Oxenhope, takes 25 per cent of its referrals from Craven. Anyone interested in starting a support group should contact the fundraising office on 01535 640431.