YOUNG singers are close to reaching their fund-raising target of £18,000 for a trip to Canada.

Nelson Civic Junior Choir's appeal has reached £15,000 and there is still more cash to come in from the final two concerts in their "Great Singers" series which brought some top operatic names to appear in Pendle.

Andrew Shore, Keith Latham, John Tomlinson and David Owen - all stars at national and international level - gave their services to help conductor David Wilkinson realise the choir's dream.

The final concert at Colne Municipal Hall also featured all three Nelson Civic Choirs - ladies, juniors and primaries - along with tenor David Owen, who stood in at short notice to replace Colne-born John Rawnsley.

Mr Wilkinson said: "There is still some money to come in and some expenses to be met, but we are optimistic that we will reach our target soon.

"We are very grateful to everyone who has helped in any way." Their fund-raising continues with a sponsored walk from Trawden on Sunday.

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