A TV STAR has helped launch a summer holiday competition in aid of charity.

Travel presenter Amanda Lamb, from A Place In The Sun, was 'delighted' to unveil the Hospice of the Good Shepherd Holiday Prize Draw.

Amanda, who is also the face of Scottish Widows, said: 'I know only too well how vital hospices are to local communities.

'A close friend of mine received very special love and care recently at a hospice and I'll never forget what that meant to her.

'It is only until you have personal experience of such a place that you realise how precious hospices are.'

The draw, which runs from April to November, has three top prizes to give away.

First prize is a two-week family holiday for four to Orlando, Florida, including luxury accommodation, unlimited car hire and a four-day family pass for Disneyworld.

Second prize is a one-week family holiday for four on the Costa Del Sol, staying in a luxury villa with pool. It includes car hire. The third prize is a weekend break to London for two people, plus rail travel.

Travel arrangements are being carried out by Chester Flight Centre in Hoole, Chester.

Staff there have agreed to provide an equivalent ABTA voucher if the winners want to choose an alternative holiday instead.

Raffle tickets are £1 each. The first ones go on sale at the Hospice Spring into Fashion Show at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall on Thursday, April 21.

After that, tickets will be readily available at the hospice itself in Gordon Lane, Backford; the Hospice Lottery shop in Ellesmere Port and all Hospice charity shops.

Alternatively, the fundraising office will send tickets out to you if you call them on 0151 3555727 or e-mail amanda.lebretton@hospicegs.com

The grand prize draw will then take place at the Hospice Fashion Show at MBNA, Chester Business Park, on Wednesday, November 23.

Hospice fundraising team leader Amanda Le Bretton thanks Castrol Sunday Darts Team for sponsoring the raffle; Chester Flight Centre for all the travel arrangements; Mark and Paul from Actis Print Group for their hard work in designing the tickets and displays; and Amanda Lamb for her help and support.