A MUSIC school is to stage a concert to celebrate the life of a talented pupil who died of cancer.

Jemma Smith, a pupil at Music for Families Music School, Centrepiece, Feilden Street, Blackburn, died aged nine in September 1999.

Her friends, family and teachers will attend the concert at St James Church, Stopes Brow, Lower Darwen, at 7pm on Saturday, June 30.

Jemma, who lived in Elizabeth Drive, Helmshore, lost her brave battle against cancer after a tumour found in her leg spread to her lungs.

During her illness Jemma continued to play the piano, violin and recorder despite gruelling chemotherapy treatment.

Joan Hall, her teacher at Music for Families, said: "Music gave talented Jemma a purpose and an opportunity to express herself without words.

"Jemma used to come to the music school but in the end I went to Jemma's home to teach her. Jemma was a wonderful little girl to teach."

The music school is extending a particular invitation to those who knew Jemma who attended Westholme School, Blackburn, and her other friends and acquaintances.

Compere for the evening will be Stephen Hall, a host at brass band concerts throughout East Lancashire.

The concert will feature people playing instruments that used to belong to Jemma as well as performances on the flute, organ, oboe, trumpet and voice.

Admission is free but donations will be distributed to a charity that helped Jemma throughout her illness.

Jemma's mum Elizabeth Smith said: "I am moved by the concert because it shows that people still remember Jemma. That was one thing that I was afraid of, people forgetting her.

"The aim of the night is to remember Jemma and for everybody to have a good time.

All the funds that are raised on the night will be donated to the charity Wish Upon A Star because Jemma went to Lapland with the charity and had a wonderful time."