LORD Hertford will attend a fundraising cheese and wine evening to support a local community group.

As Alcester Opportunities patron, he will be helping the group, based in the Pavilion on Conway Fields, celebrate its third birthday on Friday.

Speaking about the cash-strapped group, he said: "The reason we need to get sponsorship money is because if we don't give Alcester children somewhere to go or something to do they will do it themselves -- and they will quickly get into trouble.

"Everyone in Alcester has a moral reason to help them. I think all money raised will be very useful -- but the centre is looking for substantial funding to help it along," he said.

"I'm happy to do my bit. I have four young children myself and I emphathise quite strongly with where Alcester Opportunities is coming from and what it does."

He added he was proud to be able to help and be a part of the group.

Project manager Shirley Ricketts said: "We've invited a number of people, including some of our major funders, so they can all see where their money has gone in the last few years.

"We want people to know the services we run and there will be a few representatives there from the groups to talk to."

The event starts at 7.30pm. For more details, call Mrs Ricketts on 01789 766601.