HUNDREDS of people remembered their lost loved ones at a special service held by a Basingstoke hospice as a beam of light shined into the night sky as a visual tribute.

Nearly 800 people gathered outside for St Michael’s Hospice’s Light up a Life event – significantly more than last year, when 500 people attended.

The moving and emotional service, held in the grounds of the hospice in Aldermaston Road, was led by St Michael’s chaplain Liz Lang.

Special guest Bishop John Dennis, who is the father of actor and comedian Hugh Dennis, also addressed the audience at the special event.

The retired bishop, who is honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of Winchester, has been a long-standing supporter of St Michael’s.

Viables Voices, from De La Rue, which sponsored the event, and Ooh Mama, a Basingstoke choir, provided music during the service, and a beam of light shined into the sky as a visual tribute of remembrance, and it will shine every night for an hour until Christmas.

Every guest was given a star of remembrance at Light up a Life to hang on their Christmas tree at home to remember those they have lost.

An order of service included the names of lost loved ones after people were asked in September if they would like to make a donation in return for having a name inside the memorial tribute.

Iain Cameron, director of income generation at St Michael’s, said: “Light up a Life allows people in the communities of Basingstoke and north Hampshire a chance to visit St Michael’s Hospice for a poignant evening, remembering loved ones who cannot be with them this Christmas.

“Although this is a very emotional evening for many, it allows families to join together and remember as one – sharing emotions, and knowing they are not alone.

“On behalf of St Michael’s Hospice, I would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to making the evening such a success.”

Refreshments were provided by Sainsbury’s distribution depot in Houndmills.