ORGANISERS of a charity Christmas service have explained why the event is being held at a new venue this year.

Light up a Life is being staged at St Mary Magdalene Church, Taunton, rather than St Margaret's Somerset Hospice, in Bishop's Hull.

Community fundraiser Liz Shirley-Smith said some people "expressed disappointment" that the service was being held outside the hospice.

She said building work on the new inpatient unit meant most of the hospice is currently a "building site", while some car parking spaces have been temporarily lost.

"The people of Bishop's Hull have been tolerant of the disruption the new building work has brought about and we wouldn't want to put them to any further inconvenience by the overflow of the large congregation the service attracts," said Mrs Shirley-Smith.

The service at St Mary's on Tuesday at 6.30pm will be taken by St Margaret's chaplain and attended by staff, while the Christmas tree will be lit at the hospice on the same day.

Mrs Shirley-Smith added: "We're grateful to the vicar of St Mary's for accommodating us and allowing us to share this special time with supporters, friends and families who find this service such a comfort and hope that the service will prove as popular as usual."