A CHARITY concert in memory of a Darwen musician has raised more than £1,200 for Cancer Research UK.

Keith Maynard, 72, of Harwood Street, died after a short battle with cancer of the oesophagus.

He was well-known in Darwen as a founder member of the band Party Fayre, which played in the local pubs and clubs in the 1970s.

After his death his family decided they wanted to hold an event in his honour and thought the best way to remember Keith was to hold a concert.

Keith's younger brother Jack, who was also in the band, joined the more recent band line-up made up of John Allen, Jeff Ward, Pete Walton and John Fowler to perform some of the Lancashire-style songs written by Keith.

The concert, organised by Jack and Keith's daughter Caroline Aspin at Hollins Grove Conser-vative Club, raised £1,238.20.

Caroline, 46, said: "When my dad was in Party Fayre about 30 years ago they did lots of charity concerts so this would have been something he would have approved of.

"He did the comedy side of the performances and used to dress up. He also played the banjo and sang. I organised the event and my uncle Jack got the group back together. We put up lots of photographs of the old group when my dad was in it.

"We didn't expect to raise so much but we had good prizes donated for the raffle. The Punch Hotel at Chapels also raised £100 with a raffle. It was a great night."

Keith, who died in November, had worked as a postman, colour mixer and meals on wheels delivery man.

He left wife Jean, daughters Caroline and Gillian and four grandchildren, Daniel, Anthony, Luke and Emily.