England striker Peter Crouch has paid tribute to the nurses who cared for his grandmother in her final weeks at the East Cheshire Hospice.

Macclesfield-born Peter returned to the Millbank Drive charity to meet the staff who treated his grandmother – known affectionately as Betty – for three weeks before she died in March last year.

He is now encouraging more people to show their support for the cause.

Peter, who lives in Prestbury with his wife Abbey and one-year-old daughter Sophia, said: “Betty was the matriarch of our family, we were very close.

“I left Macclesfield when I was very little but every Christmas we would come up to Macclesfield and spend it with Betty.”

He added: “I didn’t know much about the hospice until she was admitted here, but they looked after her so well I can’t praise them enough.

“She was really happy here. They weren’t just nurses, they were her friends.”

Peter’s grandmother Betty Dicken was born in Salford but spent her married life in Poynton, before moving to New Hall Street in Macclesfield.

She died in the hospice on March 6 last year, aged 81.

Peter, 31, who lived in Poynton until he was six months old when his family moved to Singapore, is hoping to take part in the charity’s annual fundraiser, the Macclesfield Midnight Walk, with his mum Jane on June 30.

The Stoke City player said: “There are a lot of charities and things that I support but this is one that’s really close to my heart.

“I feel privileged to be in a position to raise awareness for the hospice. It’s an honour that they look at me to raise awareness and I am happy to do anything I can. The Midnight Walk is one evening out of a year you can make a real difference to the hospice.”

Peter’s mum Jane, who lives in London, added: “(Betty) had been to the hospice for respite and she chose to go back because she liked it so much.

“She liked the nurses and they liked her. It’s wonderful that Peter is able to help promote the work they do.”

The 10k walk takes place on June 30. Registrations costs £15, or £12 for those who sign up before March 30.

Go to the website  www.eastcheshirehospice.co.uk or call the fundraising team on 01625 433477.