SUPERMARKET chain Tesco has launched an appeal which will benefit Wroughton's Prospect Hospice.

Help the Hospices, a national organisation, is Tesco's charity of the year.

It supports hospices such as Prospect, by providing grants, training, information and advocacy so that they can continue their work in caring for terminally ill people.

Collections have already been made in the Ocotal Way store and the branch in the Parade to launch the year of fundraising.

There are 224 adult and children's hospices in the country, caring for thousands of people each year.

All proceeds from Tesco's fundraising, and a 20 per cent top-up from the Tesco Charity Trust, will benefit these hospices.

David Line, general manager of Prospect Hospice, said: "This is an excellent appeal. Like Tesco, Prospect Hospice is the heart of our local community and with the help of Tesco customers, staff and suppliers, our multi professional team can continue to work with our patients, providing our extra special care and support."

Lucy Neville-Rolfe, group director of corporate affairs, said: "We hope that the money raised by our staff and suppliers will go some way to help ensure the ongoing work of the hospice movement."