AFTER an official tour of the £3.5 million Ashford Pilgrims Hospice, the Mayor Michael Claughton admitted he had been moved by the total dedication of those involved with caring for the terminally ill of the area.

With Mayoress Daphne Claughton and their son Tom, he was shown around the Summer Hill, Willesborough, complex that was built by public donations, by Administrator Shireen West and Fund Raising organiser Lindsey Goode, and declared it was a `very special' place.

He said: "People are made to feel special in a tranquil, peaceful place which is so friendly with dedicated staff.

"It was also wonderful to meet patients who praised so much the work of the hospice that I felt privileged to be able to see working for our community."