A COMMEMORATIVE stone will be unveiled at East Lancashire Hospice in Blackburn next week to mark the opening of a new day therapy centre.

The £1.3 million centre, partially paid for by local people plus funding from the National Lottery and trustees, opened for patients with life-threatening or terminal illnesses last autumn.

Fundraiser Stuart Andrew said: "This is going to be a momentous day for the hospice. This dream has finally become a reality and it means that we now have a first-class facility for those who need it.

"Without the support of the general public and the National Lottery Community Fund we could never have achieved what we have."

Local dignitaries and supporters of the charity will be invited to the official opening next Friday.

The next day will then be an open day for local people to have a look around the new centre between 10.30am and 3pm.