The Bishop of Ely, the Rt Rev Stephen Conway, led an Act of Dedication to mark the start of a £10.5 million hospice for the Arthur Rank Charity in Cambridge.

Bishop Conway tweeted: “Great privilege to dedicate and hallow the site for the new build. With God’s help let’s extend the hospice movement.”

The new hospice at Shelford Bottom next to the Babraham Park and Ride, was chosen from 100 alternative sites to replace the current 30 year-old Brookfield House hospice in Mill Road, Cambridge.

The current hospice, says the charity, is no longer able to cope with the level of demand and Shelford Bottom will provide double the number of beds.

The charity supports people in Cambridgeshire by funding end of life care, counselling and support for adult patients with life limiting illnesses.

The 24-bed facility is expected to be completed in the autumn of 2016, offering patients a more spacious, attractive and therapeutic environment.

The event took place on Monday and was attended by over 40 people and comprised representatives of all faiths, as well as those of no faith.

Lynn Morgan, chief executive for the charity said: “We pride ourselves on delivering excellent care regardless of religion, background or wealth.

“Our services are completely free of charge to those who require them.”

The hospice is to be built by Barnes Construction, a family owned Ipswich company who presented what the charity described as a “very sound proposal”.

Building work began last month and more than £5.6million has now been raised to fund the project.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity is working closely with NHS colleagues and hopes to transfer the specialist palliative care services, currently provided by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, into its control. The charity currently contributes £1.5 million per year, subsequently funding more than 46 per cent of the care costs. All of the care offered is provided free of charge.