A HOLYROOD committee is to investigate threatened cuts to the funding of Scotland's biggest hospice after a plea from a top churchman.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien, leader of Scotland's Roman Catholics, told the MSPs he regarded the campaign for St Margaret's Hospice in Clydebank as "a fight for life".

"Our civilisation, our country, will be judged by how we deal with those who are in their last days, weeks and months of dying," he said.

Before the meeting of the Public Petitions Committee, the cardinal joined campaigners at a carol service outside Parliament.

Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board has decided to withdraw £1.2million in funding from the hospice.

After hearing from the cardinal and other witnesses, including Marjorie McCance, whose terminally-ill mother is being cared for at the hospice, the committee agreed to investigate the issue with the health board.

The MSPs will also ask the Health Committee to study the wider issue of hospice funding.

The campaigners handed in a 60,000-signature petition asking MSPs to intervene.

The hospice has 60 beds - 30 for frail adults with complex needs and 30 palliative care beds.

Close to tears, Ms McCance told the MSPs: "My mother will die with love, care, respect and dignity at St Margaret's and I think you and everyone else in Scotland deserves the same treatment."