A BOY from Andover has helped a charity near Winchester carry on a long-standing tradition.

Connor, 13, who resides at Naomi House near Sutton Scotney, presented the late landlord’s daughter with a bouquet of twelve red roses as part of the hospice’s annual rent payment.

Until her death in January this year, the hospice gave a dozen red roses to its landlady Mary Cornelius-Reid every Midsummer’s Day, as part of the terms of their contract.

For the first time the responsibility of taking the rent fell to Mrs Cornelius-Reid’s youngest daughter, Naomi, after whom the hospice was named, and her elder sister Rosemary.

The family gathered with Connor at a small ceremony at Sutton Manor Nursing Home.

Chris Robinson, chief executive at Naomi House and Jacksplace said: “Mary Cornelius-Reid was a great lover of tradition and it is wonderful that we can keep this tradition alive.

“It is a special day for Naomi House and we look forward to welcoming the Cornelius-Reid family to Naomi House next Midsummer’s Day to receive our rent payment and see our newly refurbished building.”