LULU rocked with laughter - despite being told her singing was rubbish.

It must have been a first but perhaps Bob McSorland, 50, from Kirkintilloch, had a point.

"Give us a song," he demanded after a bit of banter.

"Not Shout," Lulu protested. "I'm always singing that. It's boring."

"I gotta whole lot of love ..." she warbled - and then forgot the rest of the words, despite Bob's attempts to prompt her.

Lulu was visibly moved and inspired last night as she visited patients, staff and volunteers at the Marie Curie Hospice at Stobhill.

But she hid her emotion and lit up every room she entered with her own brand of humour.

Glasgow girl Lulu, back in her old stamping ground to help present STV's The Hour this week, has pledged to help support the Evening Times Big Build campaign for the £16.1million new hospice.

Thanks to fundraisers and our readers, £13.6m has so far been raised towards the cost of the new building, which is due to open at Stobhill in 10 months.

"It's great to have the support of such an international star," said hospice manager Aileen Eland.

"The patients and staff have been so excited about meeting her and we are honoured she has taken the time to come and speak to us."

Lulu is no stranger to what cancer can do. Her mum Betty died of cancer 13 years ago and she has seen it affect many friends.

"I've been around a long time," she said ruefully, "and at 60, you think of your own mortality.

"But it's kind of invigorating and uplifting and touching to be here.

"People are so cheerful. They're obviously going through a tough time and this is a reality check for me.

"There's a serenity and a calmness and caring and you can feel the love and that's a special thing. This is an amazing place."

Tiny and slender, chic in black, her outfit topped off with a rakish straw hat, Lulu drew admiring comments.

One woman called out to her. "You're wearing well."

"You don't look so bad yourself, hen," she retorted.

There were lots of hugs and kisses as Lulu moved around the hospice.

And by some strange coincidence, several people were renewing an acquaintance from childhood.

Susan Baillie, from Carntyne, recalled visiting relatives at Barlanark and seeing Lulu - then aged 15 - signing on the verandah one night.

"The whole place was absolutely uplifted. Everybody was crowded round. She was absolutely fantastic."

Lulu made one promise last night that she might prefer to conveniently forget.

Dennis Sullivan, 77, from the West End, somehow persuaded her to volunteer to climb Everest alone for the campaign.

"Nae bother," she grinned boldly. "That is right up my alley. And I'll sing at the top - 'The hills are alive with the sound of music'."