People are being called to help name a new hospice centre that will provide support to people in the early stages of illness.

The new support centre at St Luke’s Hospice, in Kenton Grange, is due to open in the spring this year.

With the opening so close, the hospice care calling for members of the public to help name the build.

The centre will be used to support patients, including cancer and non-cancer diagnoses, who are at the start of their treatment for their illness.

It will house a new breathlessness clinic, a range of theory sessions and be the base for drop-in consultation sessions for people to use.

Jo Archer, director of patient services, said: "This is a really exciting time for St Luke’s and everyone who works here. It gives us the opportunity to develop our services so that they really reflect what our patients and families want and need.

"Asking the local community to help us name the centre and decide what we do here will bring us even closer to the people that really matter to us."

Money for the new extension was secured with the help of the Department of Health Capital Grants programme and the Rank, Rose and Trusthouse Foundations and the Will Charitable Trust.

Entries for naming suggestions will be March 7 and those interested in taking part can do so by clicking here or emailing enews@stlukes-hospice.org