A PENSIONER sacrificed her 90th birthday presents to raise £500 for Bolton's Coronary Care Appeal.

Clara Mann decided that she did not want presents after reading in the Bolton Evening News about the appeal to raise £1.3 million for a new cardiac support unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Instead, she asked people for donations to the appeal. The cause is dear to Clara following the sudden death of her grandson, Alan Woods, who died 14 months ago, aged 36, of heart disease.

Joan Gallimore, who is Clara's daughter and Alan's mother, said: "It was an awful time, as his wife had just given birth to a baby four weeks earlier.

"When mum told me her idea, I thought, 'Good on you, let's see what we can do'.

"She even made me put the money-raising idea on her birthday party invitations."

More than 60 friends and family, including Clara's two daughters, her seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, attended the 90th birthday party at Over Hulton Conservative Club, and £360 was raised.

Clara, who lives in Deane, then rounded the figure up to £500.

Joan said: "Mum is really pleased with the amount we managed to raise and we are all proud of her for doing it."

A spokesman for the appeal said: "This will touch everyone's heart -- what a lovely way to support the appeal. She's a star."