SCHOOLCHILDREN from across Preston and South Ribble are uniting to raise money for local charities.

Choirs and bands from six schools will perform music at Preston Rotary Club's third annual concert at the Guild Hall, on Saturday, March 13, at 7.30pm.

A number of good causes are set to benefit from money raised by the event including Preston Mayor's charity fund, The Variety Club, St Catherine's Hospice and the Rotary Club's Community Fund.

On the night the 60-strong Fulwood High School choir will be performing Lou Reed's A Perfect Day, When I Fall in Love, by crooner Nat King Cole and the Tina Turner classic, Simply the Best.

The school has been involved in the fund-raising concert since it began three years ago.

Marie-Louise Lane, head of music at Fulwood High, said: "For some of the young people in the choir it is their only chance to give something back to their community.

"It is so important because it raises their awareness of what they should be doing as citizen's in our new city."

Last year the event was a roaring success with the school's pupils collaborating with Hutton Grammar youngsters for the final song of the evening -- something organisers hope to repeat this time around.

Pupils from all the schools involved have already started selling tickets with commission from sales going toward their individual music departments.

The Abbey bank has also pledged to donate £100 to the school which sells the most tickets. Rotary Club president Karl Nath said: "We're delighted to be organising this event at the Guild Hall again.

"We hope that we can raise a lot of money for our nominated charities and we hope that youth music will continue to get backing from the people of Preston."

Tickets are £6-£5 and £4 for children under 16 and senior citizens and available from the Guild Hall box office on 01772 258858 or from any of the schools taking part.