A kind-hearted farmer has donated a plot of land for a new children's hospice to be built on in the Westcountry.

Children's Hospice South West (CHSW) announced on Wednesday morning plans to build a third Westcountry hospice on the outskirts of St Austell, Cornwall.

Cornish farmer Howard Rosevear donated the seven-acre plot of land, which is located just off Porthpean Road, to CHSW.

Mr Rosevear, 74, was previously a tenant farmer on the land before he bought it from Mrs Cobbald-Sawle of the Penrice Estate.

"In my twilight years I wanted to do something for the community," Mr Rosevear said.

"I was very lucky to get the tenancy so I talked it over with my wife and we decided to give this land to charity."

CHSW launched the Precious Lives Appeal in September 2007 to raise money for the planned eight-bedroom hospice.

Since then, the charity has set about locating the ideal site on which to build the hospice, which will primarily serve life limited children in Cornwall and Plymouth.

CHSW said the Porthpean Road site met all the key criteria, including a light and optimistic setting, near a settlement that has a range of amenities which can promote family enjoyment and a site equally accessible for families from west Cornwall and Plymouth.

Eddie Farwell, CHSW: "We are thrilled and humbled by Shirley and Howard Rosevear's extraordinary gift of this most marvellous and ideal site."

Around £5m will be required for the build and initial running costs of the new hospice service, the charity said.

Eddie Farwell, co-founder and chief executive of CHSW, said: "We are thrilled and humbled by Shirley and Howard Rosevear's extraordinary gift of this most marvellous and ideal site.

"I would like to thank them on behalf of all the children and families who will use the hospice in the coming years.

"The site chosen is very near St Austell Bay, and this very special hospice will enjoy beautiful views over the wonderful Cornish countryside."

CHSW says they are now pursing the relevant planning permissions on the donated site, and discussions with Restormel Borough Council are already underway.

It is hoped that the planning permissions will be given and construction on the hospice will start in mid 2009.

Matthew Taylor, Lib-Dem MP for Truro and St Austell, said: "I am so pleased that CHSW are today able, thanks to the generosity of Mr and Mrs Rosevear, to announce that a site has been found for the proposed new hospice.

"This good news means a big step has been taken to having a children's hospice in Cornwall.

"These hospices provide absolutely vital care and support for local children and their families."

He added: "CHSW have provided incredible help to these families for over a decade but it has been a long way from home.

"The proposed site of the new hospice means that in future this help will be available close for to home for Cornish families.

"As a father myself I am certain that it would be a tremendous comfort knowing that such excellent care was as near at hand as possible."

CHSW currently runs the region's only two children's hospices - Little Bridge House in Barnstable and Charlton Farm near Bristol - and cares for more than 400 kids each year.

The organisation has been providing charitable care and respite to children and their families from across the Westcountry for more than a decade.