A SPECIAL concert featuring the talents of local musicians will be raising money for Pershore Abbey next week.

The Cecilian Players will be performing an afternoon of music at the abbey on January 29 to boost funds and provide some top entertainment for lovers of the classics.

Pershore resident and teacher Sheila Joynes has organised the event and will also be principal cellist for the first piece - Verdi's Overture to I Masnadieri.

The orchestra will consist of amateur and semi-professional musicians from all over the area and will be conducted by the former head of music at Pershore High School, Martin Wall, who now teaches music at St Mary's Convent in Worcester.

The programme will also include Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 5 and Kuhlau's Concertino for Two French Horns.

Soloists for the second piece will be Jody Moore and Helen Joynes, both of whom were awarded their Bachelor of Music degrees from Birmingham Conservatoire in the summer.

Helen, aged 22, is Sheila's eldest daughter and she made her debut with the Celilian Players in 2000 while she was still a student at Pershore High School.

She is currently keeping up her musical activities while pursuing her other passion - animals - by working as a veterinary nurse.

Jody is now continuing her studies with the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Sheila said: "It's a bit of a family affair this year. But the Verdi has a wonderfully melodic cello solo which will be down to me to play, so I won't be worrying about Helen's nerves this time"

Tickets, which are £7.50 for adults and £5 for children, are available from Blue or A La Carte shops in Broad Street, Pershore, from Sheila Joynes on 01386 556129 or on the door.

The concert starts at 2.30pm at Pershore Abbey on Saturday, January 29.