A widow has spoken of the 'overwhelming' response to an appeal for donations to St Catherine's Hospice following the death of her husband.

Bert Hurford died of cancer on October 23 and spent his final days at the hospice.

Mr Hurford was known to many people in Chorley as head of the Daniel Training Centre, Little Carr Lane, Chorley for many years in the 1980s and early '90s.

Mr Hurford's wife Jean, of Larkfield, Eccleston, asked people to make donations to the hospice following his death.

She has now expressed her thanks to the hundreds of people who have sent letters of condolence and donations to the hospice after Bert's death.

She said: "I have received around 250 cards and letters from friends and ex-colleagues from all over the country.

"We have been able to hand over a cheque to St Catherine's Hospice for £1,444 as a result of their generosity.

"Bert spent his final days at St Catherine's, the staff were wonderful and it is a very peaceful place.

"I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and respect for Bert which has been of great comfort to me through these difficult days. I would like to thank everyone."

Mr Hurford, who was 70, was a keen Everton football fan and golfer. He was still playing on his favourite Duxbury Park course until weeks before his death.

One of the highlights of his time at the Daniel Taining Centre was greeting the Duke of Edinburgh during a royal visit to Chorley.

He attended Eccleston Methodist Church, where his funeral was held in front of a packed congregation in October.

He leaves two grown up children, Jonathan and Kim, who lives in Canada.

The affection felt for Mr Hurford could be summed up by former colleague in Chorley, Adrian Littlejohn.

He said: "I admired him for his immense zest for life. They don't make enough Berts."