A TEA party will be staged at York's Knavesmire Manor Hotel on Saturday to raise money for St Leonard's Hospice.

From 1pm until 5pm, the hotel will be offering 'Tea at Three' a traditional cream tea at the special price of £2.95 with £1.50 going to charity.

The Tea at Three parties are taking place nationally throughout June in aid of local hospices.

The York hospice, which cares for people with life-threatening illnesses, was set up in 1985 and has cared for more than 4,000 people. But it costs £1.5 million a year to run, and needs people to give as much as they can "bear."

Maria Limbert, general manager of Knavesmire Manor Hotel, has had two members of her family cared for at the hospice. She said: "We are delighted to be able to join others across the country in taking 'Tea at Three'.

"We know that all the funds we raise for St Leonard's will help the hospice care for local people with life-threatening illnesses."

Updated: 09:19 Thursday, June 26, 2003