FIVE teenagers from Bury will join Sir Cliff Richard this weekend to help raise money for Africa.

The girls are singing with Sir Cliff and a host of other stars at a huge charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

They are all members of the local branch of Stagecoach Theatre Arts School, run by Ruth Mauriello every Sunday at the Met arts centre in Bury.

Stagecoach schools from across the UK are providing half of the youngsters for a 3,000-strong gospel choir at the concert.

And they will in turn join up with 2,000 more to sing at Buckingham Palace for the Queen's golden jubilee celebrations in June.

Sunday's (March 10) concert also features singer/songwriter Gabrielle, charity founder Patti Boulaye, Uri Geller, Boney M, the DHOL Foundation, Pop Idol's Rik Waller and the recently-crown Miss World, Agbani Darego from Nigeria.

The "Reaching out for Africa" concert will raise funds to build clinics with emphasis on prevention in the fight against HIV/Aids and malaria.

Stagecoach, which is for youngsters aged from six to 16, meets at the Met on term-time Sundays from 10am to 1pm. Phone 763 6161 for details.