Sue Ryder Care’s Lights of Love appeal was a sparkling success.

A special service and switch-on ceremony in the grounds of Manorlands, the Oxenhope hospice, was well attended and raised £316 through donations and the sale of merchandise.

Overall the appeal — which enabled people to dedicate a Light of Love to someone they care about — raised £54,000 for Sue Ryder Care, with £10,000 of that donated by Manorlands supporters.

Manorlands fundraiser Carly Brunskill said anyone unable to attend could still make a dedication by visiting suerydercare.org/lightsoflove or phoning the fundraising office on 01535 640430.

Anyone making a dedication and giving a donation will receive a Lights of Love Christmas star on which they can write a personal message before hanging it on their tree at home.

l An overwhelming response to an appeal helped pupils at a South Craven primary school enjoy a successful Christmas celebration.

Last month Sutton Community Primary School made an appeal for donations to its Christmas fair and for clothing to be used as costumes for its three nativity productions.

The school’s old nativity costumes were irreparably damaged when asbestos was discovered in the building’s cellar, where the clothing was stored.

The asbestos was safely removed but the costumes and some items donated for the Christmas fair had to be thrown out, prompting the school’s plea to the community for help.

The school’s head teacher Fiona Beetles said: “We’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by people’s generosity.”