Pendleside Hospice was set up in 1988 under the name Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle and this week the amazing milestone was marked with two events held in the James Hargreaves Suite at Turf Moor.

Guests were given a short history of the hospice from the first public meeting to discuss the need for hospice care, to the initial day care services provided at Marsden Hospital, the laying of the foundation stone in 1996 and its official opening in 1997.

A DVD detailing how the charity has gone from strength to strength and the extensive range of services it now provides was then shown to the packed room.

Addressing the visitors, founder president Lord Shuttleworth said: "It's absolutely splendid to see you all here and to be with you on this occasion of celebration.

"Every time I got to the hospice and meet people like you who have supported it over all these years, how deeply humble I feel."

Founder chairwoman and current joint president Miss Muriel Jobling expressed her thanks to the 80 members of staff, 462 registered volunteers and the general public, who she said make the hospice a reality.

"Our continuing success and our fund-raising is unsurpassed. Wherever I go people say how wonderful it has been that the hospice was there just for them," she said.

Miss Jobling, who has been involved with the charity since the beginning, was presented with a bouquet of flowers by chairman Mr David Brown in recognition of her commitment to the hospice.

Special tribute was also paid to the charity's oldest volunteer Mrs Anne Birchenough, who works in the hospice shop in Padiham at the age of 91.

Mr Brown said: "The success of the hospice is thanks to the continued support of the local community. The support we get is just fantastic."