THE Bishop of Blackburn has praised Lancashire's churches for raising £34,000 for Aids victims.

The Rt Rev Alan Chesters said the response by the Church of England in Lancashire to his Harvest Appeal was "magnificent".

More than £16,000 was given to a children's hospice in Bloemfontein, South Africa, which is Blackburn's link Anglican diocese.

The Naledi Hospice provides care and support for people with terminal illness, with more than half the patients children and many with Aids.

The hospice also trains health and community workers.

A second project to benefit from the appeal is a community support organisation called Wola Nani on the outskirts of Cape Town.

The Bishop said: "I would like to thank all those parishes, schools and individuals who responded so magnificently."

The Rev Mark Smith, Blackburn's diocesan world development adviser, said: "The money will make a significant difference to the work of the two projects."