DERIAN House bosses want a new chapel of rest for the children's hospice -- the first new development since the centre opened more than a decade ago.

The Astley Village hospice is planning to provide the chapel, dubbed a quiet room, so loved ones can spend time with their children after they have died.

The hospice, which already has one quiet room, has sometimes been forced to leave children in their own rooms or other temporary facilities when more than one child dies at the same time.

Plans for the single storey extension have been submitted to Chorley Borough Council and a decision is expected to be made in February.

Appeals Secretary Judy Nix said the chapel was much needed.

"When one of our children dies it is so important for their family to be able to spend time with them and grieve properly," she said.

"At present we already have one quiet room but, unfortunately, sometimes there is more than one family that needs to use it.

"By building a new chapel we can give families the opportunity to be alone with their child in comfortable surroundings.

"We are currently waiting to see the architects' plans and are hoping for the go-ahead from the council."

It is not yet known how much it will cost but funding is in place and building could start as soon as a decision is made by the council.

The hospice, which opened ten years ago, helps care for children from across the region who have become too ill to be looked after at home.

Around 300 children are cared for at the hospice each year, meaning more than 3,000 families have been helped by the hospice's efforts since its launch in 1993.

The charity-funded specialist centre gives families a well earned rest and allows parents the chance to visit as often as they wish.