COUNTRY house hotel Cwrt Bleddyn played host to a major celebration recently after the Friends of St Anne's Hospice hit its £1 million fundraising target.

Cwrt Bleddyn was chosen to host a special Ladies Day Ascot party which included the presentation of a cheque to some of the hospice's sisters from fundraising manager Pat Lewis.

"We're so excited, said Ms Lewis. "We started from humble beginnings and have only been able to achieve this fantastic target with help from lots of friends over the years and in particular from our sponsors."

Chepstow Plant International boss Eddie Hayward took full responsibility for the organising the Ladies Day - and has done something similar for a number of years.

He said: "We are privileged to be able to help a great cause which does such valuable work in the local community."

Other sponsors praised for their time, money and other resources included Beacon Estates, Mechanical Installations International (MII), Jenny and Terry Greenhaf, Johnsey Estates, Alan Darlow, Corus Strip Products and the South Wales Argus.

Built on the site of St Joseph's Hospital's former maternity wing in Harding Avenue, Newport, St Anne's Hospice is renowned for the standards of care it offers to patients suffering life-threatening illnesses.

Opened in 1994, it is run by the Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy.

* Pictured with St Anne's fundraising manager Pat Lewis (centre) are, from left, Margaret Johnsey, Eddie Hayward, Ray Barton and Jenny Greenhaf