A DEDICATED space for day care patients suffering from life-threatening illnesses was opened by the Duchess of Gloucester yesterday.

The Duchess, Birgitte Eva, commemorated the opening of the new Cavendish Wing at Ulverston's St Mary's Hospice.

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"I've been delighted to see some of the wonderful work that goes on here and I've been fortunate to meet quite a lot of the patients – it's been quite a party," said the Duchess.

The Duchess spent more than one hour talking to staff and patients on a tour of the hospice and its new Department of Health funded wing which cost £468,000.

Named after Lord Cavendish, former chair and current patron, the wing marks a milestone by offering the first specific space for day services since it opened 25 years ago.

Day patient Arthur Fenton, 67, said: “The Duchess was lovely and down-to-earth. She's just like you and me.”

Alan Oliver, 73, who visits every fortnight, said the wing was a change from the small space they had before, and they were now able to enjoy the peaceful, airy room.

With a day hospice on the ground floor, the two-storey addition also has an education suite above for training and meetings.