FOUR Somerset hospices are set to receive a share of a £849,000 funding package as the Government announces a £25 million boost for the country.

The cash, which will be distributed to over 10 hospices in the west of England, can be spent on improving infrastructure, facilities and technology but not staffing.

In Somerset, the £849,000 cut of the funding will be divided between St Margaret’s in Taunton, Weston Hospicecare, St Peter’s Bristol and Children’s Hospice South West.

David Slack, from St Margaret's Hospice in Somerset, said: "We're delighted, but it costs us £15m a year to run our services in Yeovil, Taunton and in the community.

"We will be spending it on things like new IT equipment, replacing hot water tanks, and upgrading some of the facilities."