STAFF at Asda in Trafford Park will be turning out in force in the Manchester Midnight Walk in aid of St Ann's Hospice.

The superstore will be putting out a 25-strong team in the 10k charity walk on Friday, June 20, in a show of support for fresh food manager Jeanette Thomas.

Her mother Ivy Entwistle died in the hospice at Little Hulton last September aged 77.

Jeanette said: "I didn't understand about the hospice and how it relies on fundraising to provide free care for adults until my mum went in.

"St Ann's gets only about a third of its income from the government so I'm doing the walk for the first time as my little bit to help.

"Nothing was too much trouble for the staff when my mum was there as a patient and they treated her and our family with dignity and respect."

The 10k walk starts from Manchester Central, which opens at 9 pm for entertainment, and takes in famous city centre landmarks.

The walk has raised almost £1.5m for the hospice since it started seven years ago and it is hoped more than 2,000 walkers will again take part this year. Each year St Ann’s Hospice provides free care for 3,000 patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families and carers.

Registration costs £18, reduced to £15 for past walkers, with a fee of £10 for walkers aged 11 to 17. To register go to mmwalk.org.uk or call the St Ann's fundraising team on 0161 498 3631.