AN East Lancashire-born music manager is using his star connections to aid the fight against cancer in memory of his sister.

Nova Rehman, who was raised in Brockhall Village, Langho, was left devastated by the death of his sister, Nina Rehman, who lost her brave battle with bowel cancer in August last year at the age of 47.

And now, with the help of former The Smiths bass player Andy Rourke, Nova, 43, is the driving force behind a fundraising concert at the Manchester Arena in March that will see some of the city's leading musical talent turn out in force.

Ian Brown, former lead singer of indie band The Stone Roses, is already confirmed to appear at the Versus Cancer gig on March 30 along with The Charlatans.

Other bands and artists will join the list nearer the time.

This is the second year the event had been staged. Nina, who died just four days before her 48th birthday, attended the last one which raised £750,000.

The money raised from the event will go towards the fight against cancer, in particular The Christie Hospital in Manchester.

Nova started in the music industry running an event sound and lighting business from Colne before taking control of artists' careers with his company Great Northern Productions.

He said that while he has homes in Manchester the draw of the Ribble Valley and his family sees him frequently return.

It is the relationship with Rourke that has enabled Nova to become the driving force behind the concert.

And his drive is given greater impetus by the fact his father was diagnosed with bowel cancer around the same time as his sister, but due to early detection he was able to beat the disease.

With nearly 7,500 tickets already sold he hopes the gig can add to last year's efforts and be the start of something that will take the fight against cancer forward for the next 25 years.

Nova, 43, said: "Nina made the gig last year by being at the concert but this year it's very much in her name and memory. We were all there with her when she died and I want to do something to fight the disease.

"My father was also diagnosed with bowel cancer but it was discovered early and he was given the all clear.

"I've been in the music business for 20 years and all the friends I made are coming in handy. Andy has got his little black book out and he's helping and he will be performing.

"Nothing surprises me and I have never had a doubt that people would help.

"Everybody has been touched by cancer in some way and we are trying to draw attention to early detection which is vital and if we can make people aware then we are halfway there.

"We've got a great relationship with Christies and we have done some good already.

"We've made it possible to put shows on in the US and Sweden and I hope this can become a global campaign against cancer."