LYDNEY Hospital has benefitted to the tune of £8,000 thanks to a charity ball organised by a Forest company.

The ball was organised by Stroat-based Reecer Space and was held at the St Pierre Hotel near Chepstow.

The company's managing director, Steve Reece, presented a cheque for £8,026 to the treasurer of the Friends of Lydney Hospital, Brian James.

Steve was joined for the presentation by his wife Helen and office manager Debbie Humphries who had a big role in organising the ball.

The donation will go towards a project to refurbish and rearrange the ward reception at the hospital.

Friends' chairman, Tony Midgley, said: "The cost of this project is being shared between the Friends of Lydney Hospital and the local NHS Trust.

"Co-funding such as this is an increasingly com­­mon way forward for major works at the hospital which would not otherwise be carried out.

"Due to the closure of minor injury units at some local hospitals, the unit at Lydney is increasingly used by people from Chepstow and beyond as well as Lydney and the Forest of Dean area."

Mr Reece said: "We have all used Lydney Hospital and we are delighted to make this donation."