A charity hoping to open a new multi-million pound hospice in West Norfolk next year hosted a family fun day today.

The open day at Norfolk Hospice's Tapping House in Snettisham attracted hundreds of people who enjoyed a car boot sale, stalls, barbecue and a tombola.

Families were also given the opportunity to have a look round the hospice and find out more information about its work.

Hunstanton mother Cathy Baker, 35, took her two children to the event and said it was a great family day out.

'It was also very interesting to learn more about the charity because I knew very little about what happens here and I think others will think the same,' she added.

Richard Shaw, the charity's chief executive, was pleased by the reaction from people who attended.

'We are a community charity and we like to keep the community involved in everything we do. While they can't help deliver the services, they can show their support by spending a few pounds to help us keep our services going and learning more about what we do and it's been great to see so many people come along here.'

Since 1984, the charity has been providing palliative care to people with cancer, neurological and other life-limiting conditions to enable patients to live life to the full for whatever time is left.

The Norfolk Hospice supports more than 280 people every month at its current hospice and has the support of 250 volunteers as well as paid staff. The charity hopes to move to a new �4m full-service hospice, which will provide 12 inpatient beds, next year.

The charity's yearly running costs stand at �1.4m, but these will rise to �3.4m once the new hospice at Hillington, near King's Lynn, is operational.

For information about the charity visit www.norfolkhospice.org.uk