A POPULAR band in Blackburn is set to pull out all the stops for kidney patients - with the help of a Britain's Got Talent starlet.

Blackburn Salvation Army Band will be joined by BGT performer Cormac Thompson for their Kidneys for Life charity concert early next month.

The teenage singer, who has also been a semi-finalist in the Songs of Praise chorister of the year competition, will be delighting those in attendance with a series of solos.

Band leaders are also inviting along musicians to play with them for the free July 8 get-together, which takes place at the Salvation Army building on Vicar Street, off Salford, in Blackburn town centre.

Bandmaster Eric Millest said: "We felt that some people have still not quite returned to former levels of musical and social participation and enjoyment since Covid.

"So we wanted to offer an opportunity for people to join in a fun concert, which also raises money for a very worthwhile cause.

"Anyone who has been learning to play an instrument for a short time could join in with our souped-up arrangement of Ode to Joy and more experienced musicians are invited to play in the whole concert which will include enjoyable music from The Lion King, Mission Impossible, Dr Who, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jurassic Park and so much more.”

The band has a stellar record of raising funds for charities in the past - a joint concert with the Blackpool Salvation Army Band and East Lancashire Hospitals choir collected more than £1,100 for Cancer Research UK in March.

And their annual Christmas concert for the Mayor's charities and Unicef's work in Ukraine last December garnered £1,125 for the causes.

Anyone who would like to participate in the July concert, for which admission is free, is being asked to e-mail ericmillest@aol.com or text 0787 674 7398.