HOSPICE staff celebrated a step forward yesterday when the Archbishop of York laid the foundation stone for a much-needed extension.

Dr David Hope tapped the stone into place as work continued on the £2m project at St Leonard's Hospice, York.

The 20-bed, three-storey extension will increase the hospice's capacity and improve facilities.

Due to be completed this time next year, it will provide single rooms with en-suite facilities. Each will have its own balcony or terrace and overlook countryside or gardens.

The £2m appeal for the work has already reached £1.5m, and the archbishop praised the dedication of the contributors and hospice staff.

The chairman of the trustees, Trevor Copley, said: "This is particularly exciting for us as it was almost exactly 18 years ago that the archbishop's predecessor, Dr John Habgood, laid the original foundation stone.

"Since then, we have cared for more than 4,000 patients and their families.

"There can be few people in the area who have not had some contact with the hospice through family, friends, neighbours or colleagues."

Once the annexe is finished, all medical and nursing care of in-patients will be transferred there and the original buildings will be transformed to increase day-care facilities, provide family accommodation, a chapel, out-patient clinic and an education centre