A SALE of bric-a-brac and biscuits has raised £180 for The Bolton News Garden of Tranquillity appeal.

Pensioners organised the jumble sale to raise cash to renovate the rundown grounds of Bolton Hospice.

More than 50 people attended the sale, which was held at the Weavers Court sheltered housing complex in Rothwell Street, Daubhill.

Organiser Alf Naylor, aged 65, a former bus driver, said: "I've known a lot of people who have been in the hospice and I know they would have loved to have seen a beautiful garden there.

"It's an amazing place and the staff are so caring. It would be lovely for people to have somewhere nice to sit out and I think the appeal is a fantastic idea."

The Bolton News launched the Garden of Tranquillity appeal to raise £100,000 to transform the grounds of the hospice.

At present, grass covers most of the gardens, meaning people in wheelchairs and those using zimmer frames cannot access them.

Patio areas are filled with cracked, broken and uneven paving stones and the borders are sparsely planted.

Under the new plans, pathways will be created to provide disabled access, and there will be private seating areas where patients can spend quality time with their loved ones.

There will also be a sensory garden bursting with scent and colour and a water feature.

More than £92,000 has already been raised for the appeal thanks to personal donations and fundraising events.

If you want to make a donation, cheques and postal orders should be made payable to Bolton Hospice and sent to The Bolton News, Newspaper House, Churchgate, Bolton, BL1 1DE.

If you are organising a fundraising event contact The Bolton News health reporter, Jane Lavender, on 01204 537350.