People will be able to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died in a series of church services across West Norfolk.

The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House is organising the services in the run-up to Christmas and inviting people to show their support for the charity by making a donation in memory of a friend or relative.

It comes as the charity has announced it hopes to raise �50,000 before the New Year for its Seahorse Appeal which is being backed by the EDP and aims to help give people greater choice on where they want to die.

Richard Shaw, the charity's chief executive, said: 'Light up a Life is an opportunity for people to pause and spend time with precious memories of loved ones. People may wish to also light a candle and reflect.'

He added: 'Our services are open to everyone and not just people whose loved ones were cared for by a hospice. The names of all those who are remembered can also be entered into our book of remembrance.'

The first service is being held at St Peter and St Paul Church in Swaffham from 3.30pm on November 25.

There will then be services at Lynn Minster on December 9 from 3pm and Sandringham Visitor Centre the following day from 4pm.

Services are also planned for St Edmund's Church in Hunstanton on December 12 and at Downham Market's St Edmund's Church on December 16.

Other fundraising events for the Seahorse Appeal includes a Santa dash round The Walks in King's Lynn on December 1.

People are also being urged to purchase Christmas cards from Norfolk Hospice shops. There are 12 designs available which come in packs of 10 and are priced from �3.

A 2013 calendar which contains 12 photographs of the Norfolk coast is also available to buy from the charity's shops for �6.99.

The hospice has provided palliative care to people with cancer, neurological and other life-limiting conditions since 1984.

It launched the Seahorse Appeal in September to raise �750,000 as the charity gears up to move into a new �4m full-service hospice near King's Lynn next year.

The new hospice, along with the charity's Hospice at Home team, will help the charity give a more complete service to more people in west Norfolk, north Norfolk and parts of Cambridgeshire.

To have the name of a loved one remembered in the charity's book of remembrance, please write to the Norfolk Hospice by November 20 and print in capitals how you would like the name to appear along with you name, address, contact number and e-mail address.

The address for this is fundraising office, The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House, Common Road (West), Snettisham, King's Lynn, PE31 7PF.

For more information about the charity and more ways to donate to the Seahorse Appeal visit www.norfolkhospice.org.uk.