WHEN Wendy Jacobs was looking to raise money for charity she didn't pussyfoot around - she called in Cats Eyes.

Family connections meant she was able to bring back the band to its Evesham roots for the first time in five years with a gig that should get townsfolk's memories going.

In Cats Eyes' heyday - late 1960s to early '70s - they made 13 singles which reached the top 40, and appeared on most of the pop shows on television and radio.

They also performed at Hamburg's famous Top Ten Club where the Beatles made their name.

After a few years of retirement the group, which originally came out of Evesham, reformed in 1986 to recreate their 1960s sound.

Still in demand, they play most weekends at pubs and clubs - but they haven't played in Evesham for about five years.

Drummer Doug Alcock said: "We were very popular in Evesham at the time.

"The two songs that climbed the highest in the charts were Come Away Melinda and Where is She Now?

"I think to keep going you have got to remain versatile. We do all sorts now, including Stones, Beatles, Moody Blues and Dave Clark Five songs, at a variety of different functions."

Apart from Mr Alcock, a manager at Unipart, there's Dave Busby, manager of Stratford's Music Centre on lead guitar, and Redditch District Council's maintenance manager, Roy Banks on bass who is also Mrs Jacobs' s uncle.

Cats Eyes supported by the Sam Boulter Disco, are in action at Evesham Working Men's Club Tickets on November 10 and tickets (£3), can be bought on the door or at Vine Music, Vine Mews in Evesham.

The event will raise cash for mother-of-two Wendy's hike along the Great Wall of China to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

She set off on Monday but is due to return well in time to attend the concert.

Wendy, from Aldington, said: "I have already raised the minimum amount of £2,700 but want to raise much more in memory of my dad, Les Southam from Honeybourne, who suffered from heart problems before he died."