CORONATION Street star Jodie Hamblet has become the first-ever Red Rose Festival Princess to help raise money for Bury Hospice.

The month-long festival was launched in the Mill Gate shopping centre in Bury by Jodie, who plays Gemma Davenport in the soap, and she got to work straight away, selling red roses to shoppers for the charity.

On Saturday night, the Longfield Suite in Prestwich played host to the annual Red Rose Ball held during each festival for the supporters. Along with a five-course dinner and dancing, fundraisers joined the Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, Couns Barry and Sharon Briggs, to enjoy a cabaret and the presentation of £3,000 to the group by the Fishermans Retreat.

Mervyn Reeves, fundraising manager for Bury Hospice, said: "It was a wonderful night and was very well attended. We hold this dinner during the Red Rose Festival each year and we always hope it will be a great success."

Jodie also went along to the hospice shop on The Rock, in Bury, last Friday for the computer draw of the £3,000 Red Rose Lottery winner.

There are other events taking place during the month to help raise funds for the hospice:

They include the Holcombe Hill Challenge on April 17; a St George's Day Old English Dinner and St Georges Day Concert at Radcliffe Civic Suite at 7:30pm on April 23; and the chance to dine in style aboard a Pullman-style dining coach on the "Red Rose Special on the East Lancashire Railway on April 29.

This, the 13th festival, raises around £30,000 each year for the hospice situated in Dumers Lane, Radcliffe.

To mark the Red Rose Festival and to help the hospice reach its target, local people can make a donation and buy a red rose from shops and other retail outlets throughout the borough.

For further information visit the fundraising centre at 89 The Rock, Bury or telephone 797 1748.