A KIND-hearted woman has left almost £30,000 to three charities in her will.

Alice Simpson, from Penwortham, who died in September, left £9,500 each to St Catherine's Hospice, Lostock Hall, Galloway's Society for the Blind, Penwortham and Cancer Research UK.

Frank Aspinall, of Murdoch Avenue, Ashton, had known Mrs Simpson for more than 40 years after she married his life-long friend Jimmy, who died several years ago.

While Mr Aspinall understood why she left money to the cancer charity and the hospice, he was surprised, yet delighted, she had bequeathed money to Galloway's.

Mr Aspinall said: "Her mother had died of cancer and she also had a friend that she had regularly visited in St Catherine's Hospice, but I was quite surprised when I found out about Galloway's.

"She's never really had any connection to the charity or known anyone who is blind. But it's a worthy cause to give money to and I presume that's why she chose it."

Mrs Simpson, who was 82 when she died, moved to Longton from Blackburn when she married but moved to Moor Hey Crescent, Penwortham, after the death of her husband.

She enjoyed dances at the Stanley Club, Fishergate Hill, and was a keen gardener.

Mr Aspinall, 75, said: "Wherever Jimmy was, so was Alice. She was always by his side and they were a lovely couple. We had some great times.

"She absolutely loved gardening and flowers and she used to potter about doing bits and I would cut her lawn."

John Nickson, appeals manager at St Catherine's Hospice, said: "We are so very grateful for this very generous donation and it will be put towards the running costs of our hospice as we have to raise £2million a year. It's just such a shame in this instance that we cannot thank her in person."

Peter Taylor, director of Galloway's, said the charity plans to use the money to buy equipment for their talking newspapers and magazines for blind people in Preston and South Ribble.

"Legacies make a real difference to the work of the society and Mrs Simpson's bequest was very considerate."