MARY Stevens Hospice have been forced to move their annual Tree of Light ceremony to the Great Hall at Old Swinford Hospital School.

The Hagley Road charity’s service, which invites people across the borough to remember lost loved ones, normally takes place at St Mary's Church in Oldswinford.

However, due to issues with the church’s boiler – which cannot be fixed before the service on Saturday, November 26 – the hospice has been forced to make alternative arrangements.

The service will also now take place at the later time of 4.30pm, to allow for anyone who arrives at the church to have time to make their way over to the new venue.

David Knight, chaplain/spiritual care co-ordinator at Mary Stevens Hospice, said: “It’s a great shame as we have always held the service in the church and it always provides a stunning and poignant backdrop to a very moving ceremony, and they are fantastic supporters of the hospice.

“Our thoughts are with them because it is an awful time to be experiencing problems with the boiler and we hope they’re able to fix it.

However, we are incredibly grateful to Old Swinford Hospital for stepping in and helping us in our hour of need, as this service is incredibly important to us and our local community, who join us every year to support each other and remember those they love.”

For more information about the hospice’s Tree of Light services, visit www.facebook.com/marystevenshospice/events, or call 01384 377778.