Shoppers took a welcome break from the hectic town centre to indulge in holistic treatments and raised £450 for charity in the process.

Actor Roy Heather, who played Sid the barman in sitcom Only Fools and Horses was on hand at the Prospect Silver Launch Celebration in the town centre to mark 25 years of the hospice.

The event at St Aldhelms Hall, in Edgware Road, was also held to celebrate the launch of two new Swindon businesses, party organisers Uminx Occasions and mobile holistic service Treatu Holistic Therapies.

Tracy Torr, Prospect Hospice fundraiser, said: "Whenever anybody does anything for the Prospect Hospice they are helping such a worthy cause.

"The hospice provides such an excellent service and it relies on charitable donations so we are always very grateful."

Rose Begbie, of Uminx Occasions said: "We wanted to mark the launch of our businesses and the Prospect Hospice fits in with our business ethic, which is making every moment count."

Visitors to the charity event, on Saturday January 29, paid money for treatments such as massages and reflexology.

Rose added: "We were really pleased with the amount and it was a great way to mark our opening."