PENSIONERS who organised one of Darwen’s biggest events of the year are setting about raising the profile of the town even further.

The group of seven friends decided 18 months ago to raise money for service-men and women risking their lives in Afghanistan, after seeing repatriation events in Wootton Bassett.

Earlier this month, they raised more than £4,000 at their 1940s Day, held on the Market Square.

It took the total donated to Support Our Soldiers and the British Limbless Ex-servicemen’s Association to £7,000. Now the women have turned their attention to a charity Darwen’s Got Talent event, with the aim of helping youngsters engage in their community.

A spokeswoman for the group, said: “Young people seem to think there’s not really much anything for them here, but it’s a busy little market town and we want to get them involved in their own town.

“It will also help to raise the profile of Darwen and raise more funds.”

The event will be open to amateurs with a range of talent, from singing to dancing to juggling, comedy and more.

Local schools are being sent application forms, and bars and pubs in the town are being approached to host heats for adults.

Darwen Town Council has donated £1,350 towards the costs of the final, to be held at the Darwen Library Theatre on December 4.

Coun Steve Duncan, leader of the town council, said: “This is an event that will embrace the whole community.

“Potentially anybody in Darwen will be able to enter, and who knows what talent we might find?”

The winner of the final will receive three prizes – a replica of Darwen Tower, a chance to perform at next year’s Mayor’s Command Performance, and the opportunity to have a profess-ional recording or video made of their performance.

Tickets for the event will go on sale on October 1.

They cost £5 and any money raised will go to the soldiers charities.