THE STROKE unit at West Cumberland Hospital has received a generous donation from local Freemasons.

The Lowther Lodge, which recently announced its closure, gave £500 to the unit as a legacy donation.

Trevor Days, treasurer of the lodge, said it was closing due a lack of new members.

He said: "We're struggling to get new members because people are so busy these days and there's so much more for people to do to occupy their time."

The lodge also gave a £500 donation to The Whitehaven News' Lifeboat appeal.