THERE are less than four weeks to go until this year's Light Up A Life switch-on for St John's Hospice.

We are inviting readers to be part of what is always a deeply moving occasion by sponsoring one of the thousands of lights that will be switched on during the traditional open-air ceremony on Sunday, December 6 at 5.30pm.

Just complete and return the form which appears in the Globe each week.

The campaign - which last year raised a staggering £100,000 - was launched in the Globe, the newspaper that has supported the event since its inception in 1996.

Shining like an oasis of love from trees in the hospice garden, the lights have become a symbol of hope and celebration for all who pass, or have reason to visit, the purpose-built hospice, which nestles by Clatterbridge Hospital near the M53.

Once switched on, the lights will illuminate the hospice garden and surrounding area until Twelfth Night (January 6).

Hospice fundraiser Debbie Green told the Globe: "The number of coupons we've had so far is on a par with the number we normally receive at this time each year. Of course, now the postal strike is over, the coupons are coming in.

"People are obviously reading the Globe and responding. The nice thing, too, is that we' re also getting coupons from people who’ve never done it before, not just those who who contribute every year."

All proceeds go to the hospice, which needs to raise more than £2.5million for patient care and running costs next year.

Everyone sponsoring a light will have the name of their loved one or friend entered in a Book of Honour which will be on display in the hospice chapel.