WORCESTER'S old time entertainer, impresario and charity fund-raiser Ray Portman is at it again.

He has come out of retirement to organise The Little Big Fete at the city's Firs Rest Home in Malvern Road, where his wife Gladys receives day care.

Ray, now 78, was one of The Midlands top stage names in the 40s and 50s with his dog act Raymone's Canine Wonders, a troupe of mainly Alsatians, which performed tricks like jumping through hoops of fire.

Sadly, rock 'n' roll killed the variety show act, but Ray enjoyed a highly successful second career as one of Worcester's top driving instructors and testers.

However, he's never lost his love of entertainment and has put together a quality cast for the rest home's fund raising event on Saturday, June 28.

There will be Stourport Brass Band, with special guest tenor Derek Bright, St Matthews Hand Bell Ringers, from Evesham, and Malvern Hills Gymnastic Club.

There will also be a whole host of other stalls and attractions, from a "guess the weight of the cake" to a bumper raffle and bouncy castle.

The fete, which is being held in aid of Acorns Children's Hospice, will be opened at 2pm by Worcester's MP Mike Foster, with the grand draw at 6pm.

"It's going to be a great show," said Ray.