GREAT grandmother Muriel Bromelow's powers of persuasion have boosted a charity's coffers by £40,000 in just over three years.

Instead of putting her feet up at the weekend Muriel, from Blackrod, is a regular fixture at the Mercury Hotel and Regency Restaurant at Chequerbent, selling raffle tickets to drinkers and diners.

And over the months interest has grown so much that she often makes as much as £110 when she collects on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

It is good news for Derian House Children's Hospice, which benefits from her efforts.

The former Littlewoods catalogue supervisor, who admits only to being in her sixties, has three grandchildren and a great grandson. She said: "I am lucky that mine are healthy and I thank God for that."

Landlords Mildred and Stuart Ridings welcome her in each week and the vast majority of customers are happy to part with £1 for a ticket.

Despite reaching the £40,000 milestone Muriel is determined to keep going with her raffles for a long time to come and has set her heart on raising the next £10,000.

She said: "I am earning my wings for when I pop off. I will keep doing this for as long as I can."

Muriel's one woman fund raising activities have delighted workers at Derian House. A spokesman said: "She does an awful lot for us. It is a fantastic achievement and we are very grateful."