CANDLES will be floated down the River Ouse tonight in memory of loved ones.

The Candles on the Ouse will see hundreds of paper candles in the shape of water lilies set adrift to float down the river tonight at 6pm, to mark the start of the St Leonard's Hospice 30th anniversary celebrations.

Following a short informal service a, led by the Hospice chaplains, hundreds of floating candles will be set adrift to float down the river between Dame Judi Dench Walk between Lendal Bridge and Marygate.

Each candle will be sponsored by people who have donated to the Hospice to commemorate a birthday or anniversary, as a gift for someone special or as a way of remembering a loved one.

The candles will be floated on the river by Hospice staff.

Judy Wilson, events fundraiser at St Leonard’s Hospice, said: "This promises to be an impressive and moving event, and everyone is very welcome to join us on the riverbank and to sponsor their own candles – you can even have your own personal message written on them."