He is a regular on the Belmont Day Unit which caters for older patients, on the Children's Ward and also on the Rehabilitation Ward - but will happily visit other patients on request.

Meeting the volunteers at Chorley Hospital: listen to Graham and June on BBC Radio Lancashire You need REAL PLAYER to listen

Owner Sharon Bamford has been bringing him to the hospital for over a year and is now involved in training other PAT dogs. She is studying Animal Psychology at Myerscough College and loves volunteering at the Hospital - "It's very rewarding - hospitals can be very daunting but Lincoln always brings a smile to people's faces. I love animals and am really interested in what they can provide to people in a vulnerable situation."

Website - www.petsastherapy.org

An astonishing number of volunteers - more than 700 - work between Chorley and Royal Preston Hospitals. Some belong to organizations like the WRVS or the Red Cross but others are independent volunteers. They do all sorts of things - from meeting and greeting and manning the tea trolley to befriending patients, writing their letters or changing their flowers. Others work in Hospital Radio.

One volunteer talks of how befriending patients restored her confidence after being unemployed. Now she has a job with the NHS.

Another Chorley volunteer works for the Red Cross and administers manicures and shoulder massage to patients. She enjoys her work so much that she even came in on Christmas Day.

If you'd like to volunteer at your local hospital call the BBC Radio Lancashire Action Line for contact details on 0845 305 9000.