A CHARITY champion plans to return to her former Blackburn school to raise cash -- just a week after she runs the London marathon.

Jane Maudsley, 22, will join the acclaimed Morecambe Band to perform Last Night of the Proms at Westholme School in Blackburn in April.

The event, which she hopes will raise funds for the Children's Society, will come just a week after she runs in the gruelling Flora London Marathon.

As well as the traditional 'Last Night' repertoire, the mezzo-soprano, a student at the University of Sheffield, will perform Carmen, Samson and Delilah and Gershwin favourites.

Jane, who lived in Lancaster Lane, Leyland, for 15 years while attending Westholme, is now appealing for former school friends and music lovers to back her cash appeal.

Jane, who began learning how to play the piano at the age of three, said: "I want the concert to be a real success and to be enjoyed by all while at the same time raising money for the charity. The Morecambe Band are going to be presenting the concert alongside myself. They are a highly acclaimed brass band and I am thrilled that they are giving their support to the event.

"Their expertise and talent will make this concert a really entertaining night out.

"The concert is taking place a week after the marathon which is quite a relief as I am sure I will need that time to recover from the challenge of 26.2 miles.

"I have been training very hard for the race.

"I have never run seriously before just the odd couple of miles on the treadmill to get in shape.

"Having lost two stone last year I wanted to improve my fitness and I have been lucky to gain a place in one of the most sort after sporting events." Jane's love for classical music kicked in while at Westholme, where she was advised to start taking classical singing lessons.

Tickets and enquiries about the concert are available on 01254 854288.

The concert takes place at the Westholme Theatre, within the upper school, Meins Road, Blackburn, on April 28 at 7.30pm.