A new centre at a hospice could be key in dispelling the myth that hospices are “depressing places".

St Luke’s Hospice, in Kenton Road, Harrow, officially opened its £680,000 Woodgrange centre after celebrating its annual Christmas fair.

Mr Webb and Harrow Mayor Councillor Ajay Maru cut the ribbon at the fair on Saturday, November 15.

The new centre will have a variety of therapy rooms and a gym to help rehabilitate people. It's chief executive Robin Webb hopes the new centre will change perceptions of hospices.

He said: “It is an amazing project that we have completed after starting in May 2013. There is a fantastic space for different kinds of therapy and will help expand the number of people we see.

“A lot of people think hospices are depressing places where people go to die but we want to dispel that myth by helping imrpove their quality of life.”

Using money from NHS grants and fundraising, the centre is seen as a “big opportunity” to keep pushing forward in care.

Mr Webb paid tribute to the people who have helped raised enough money.

He said: “We have so many people volunteer wish us and it always amazes me how many people are so willing to help out. We could not do it without them.

“People get the idea that a hospice is for older people but that is not the case and this new centre can help people of all ages receive the treatment they need.

“We can make huge strides in helping people within the community with the services our centre can bring.”