HEALTH minister Hazel Blears praised Bolton Hospice staff for their ongoing work to help the terminally ill when she visited the town yesterday.

The Salford MP came to Bolton to view the workings of a successful hospice and see how some of their ideas could be adopted on a national level.

She said: "The staff here are wonderful and I would like to give them a huge, big thank you."

Mrs Blears had been invited to the Chorley New Road hospice by staff after they saw her speak at a conference in Birmingham.

Chief Executive Margaret Evans said: " We are delighted that Hazel could join us today. We invited her to come and visit us here after being really impressed when we heard her speak."

She added: "We feel this can only help national understanding of the role of hospices."

The residents were also pleased to receive such an important visitor.

Phyllis Smith, aged 82, said: " It is great that somebody so important should take an interest.

"The doctors and nurses here are especially kind to us so it is nice they are being recognised and someone is taking an interest."

The visit was one of a number by Mrs Blears to health centres throughout the region.