LADY Bathurst met patients and heard their stories during a visit to Longfield.

The current High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, who is also vice president of the hospice charity, chatted to patients at the day therapy in Minchinhampton.

Every year Longfield supports more than 800 people with life-limiting illnesses and their families and carers.

“Earlier this year I had the pleasure of opening Longfield’s new charity shop in Cirencester.

"Longfield relies on the generosity of the community, through fundraising and its shops,” she said.

“I very much enjoyed raising a glass to toast staff and patients to talk to people who benefit from this service. It is a truly wonderful service to support in 2017.”

“The charity values Lady Bathurst and her long association with our cause,” said Longfield chief executive Andrew Fletcher.

“She laid the foundation stone for the hospice and we look forward to our 30th anniversary next year and celebrating that relationship.

“It was an opportunity for her to meet people who benefit from our living well services, and also meet hospice at home staff to talk about end of life care.

“We also shared with her our ambitious plans to reach out to different parts of the county so that we can support more people than ever before.”