A FOLK singer who taught herself to play the guitar at the age of 13 is one of the performers at the Last Night of the Proms concert on Lytham Green this Sunday (July 30)

Joan Aitchison, from Fulwood, Preston, is partnered by Stephen Carter at the concert, proceeds of which will go to the Help The Hospices and Guillaine Barre Syndrome charities.

But Joan and Stephen are hoping to make a second donation to the charities, having recorded a CD of folk songs, copies of which will be on sale at the concert.

Joan, who runs a nursery home in Fulwood, told The Citizen that she, Stephen and a friend, Peter Brown, formed a band many years ago called Wrea Folk, playing famous and self-penned folk songs. She said: "Although the group disbanded long ago, Stephen and I kept in touch and swore we would sing again. We recently got together and decided to record a CD, purely for our own memories and enjoyment."

The album, recorded in Stephen's home studio, features traditional and contemporary folk songs such as She Moved Through The Fair, and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow. Joan is pictured here recording her guitar parts for the CD, which will be available to purchase at The Last Night of the Proms concert, priced £7. For every copy sold, £5 will go towards the charities and £2 towards production costs.

Joan's appearance at the "Prom" will be her second and she will perform alongside the Northern Chamber Orchestra and the Longridge Band.

As well as the musical performances, John Savident, aka Coronation Street's Fred Elliott, will be presenting the event. He said: "It is nice to see classical music being performed as often as possible and Lytham Green is the ideal setting for such a wonderful concert."

Tickets are priced £14 until Sunday, when they will be priced £16. They are available from St Annes Tourist Information Centre, Lytham County Information Centre and Lowther Pavilion caf, or by calling the booking hotline on 0906 6800033. Lytham's car parks will also be free to use on the night.