Bispham’s Trinity Hospice has apologised for spending £50,000 of donations on seven pieces of artwork.

A row erupted after supporters of the Hospice voiced anger over the decision to spend £50,000 from general charitable funds on the seven-piece work ‘The Dance’ (pictured) by Penny Warden, to add to the artwork in the Trinity’s Chapel.

Donors and fundraisers for the Hospice complained to the Charity Commission over the move, and also set up a Facebook group entitled 'Blackpool Trinity Hospice - £50,000 of donations wasted'.

In response, the Hospice released a statement asserting that “creating a therapeutic space in the chapel was the right thing to do” and that directors thought 'The Dance' would be a significant purchase in Trinity's 25th anniversary year, but admitted: “We realise we got it wrong in using the general charitable fund and sincerely apologise.”

In a bid to make amends, a Hospice spokesman said the charity planned to set up a retrospective fund to raise money for the paintings, which will be used to replenish general funds.