The chairman of trustees at East Lancashire Hospice has retired from the role.

Audrey Platt, from Rishton, served as chairman for nearly 10 years after being elected in 2005.

The retired obstetrics and gynaecology consultant joined the hospice as a trustee in 1999 and will now hand over her chairmanship role to Graham Parr JP.

Audrey said: “I was completely converted to the benefits of hospice care soon after it opened in 1984. The hospice offered time, space and expertise beyond our dreams and the benefit for patients was enormous.

“There have been changes in the 30 years since East Lancashire Hospice opened its doors.

“From the beginning, patients were central to all of the hospice’s thinking and planning.

“This has not changed and it is the thread in which we will continue in the future.

“It has been a privilege to be associated with the hospice for the last 15 years and I know the it will be well served by their new chairman, Graham Parr, and I wish him well.”

Mr Parr JP, who has been a trustee for four years, said it is a ‘great honour and privilege’ to be appointed chairman.