PUPILS at George Tomlinson High School used their bad taste for a good cause.

Youngsters at the Kearsley school wore the worst-taste ties they could find to raise as much cash as possible for the Garden of Tranquillity appeal.

They collected £143 to transform the rundown grounds of Bolton Hospice, which have not been renovated since the hospice opened nearly 15 years ago.

The bad tie day was organised by Victoria Butcher, who works in the fundraising department at Bolton Hospice.

She said: "It is great to get the younger generation enthused with an initiative to help Bolton Hospice. Wearing a bad tie for the day obviously captured their imagination."

Junior Sykes, David Briacz, Oliver Jones and Steven Rowson were just some of the pupils who took part in the bad tie day, along with staff members Vicky Purdy and Yvonne Bown.

The Bolton News launched the Garden of Tranquillity appeal to raise £100,000 to transform the open spaces at Bolton Hospice.

Currently most of the gardens are covered in grass, meaning there is no access for people in wheelchairs and those using walking frames.

Borders are sparsely planted and patio areas are filled with cracked, broken and uneven paving stones.

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

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

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

If you are organising an event, contact The Bolton News health correspondent, Jane Lavender, on 01204 537350.