SIXTIES singing star Helen Shapiro will be returning to the spotlight to share her story with churchgoers in Burnley.

The voice behind hits like Walking Back To Happiness and Don’t Treat Me Like A Child has accepted an invitation from Baptists in East Lancashire to appear for one night only at the town’s Sion church.

Today Helen, who appeared with the legendary Humphrey Lyttleton band for 18 years, shares her experiences as a Christian worshipper.

The singer, who also found fame with You Don’t Know and Tell Me What He Said, has devoted her time to gospel outreach work after retiring from showbiz, after 42 years touring, in 2002.

A Sion spokesman said: “The suggestion to invite Helen Shapiro came from Betty Hitchon, of Haggate Bapist Church and was taken up by the Burnley cluster of Baptist and Independent Methodist Churches, who have joined together to support the event.”

The gospel outreach evening, from 7.30pm on Saturday, is being promoted by Churches Together in Burnley and congregations across East Lancashire.

Helen has, to date, released four albums of gospel-inspired music, and has taken her message to the United States, South Africa and Russia.

She became a ‘committed believer’ in 1987 after undertaking her own Old and New Testament studies.

Her first gospel concert followed two years later and she released her first related album, The Pearl, shortly afterwards. The reaction was such that this was followed by a second effort Kadosh, meaning Holy, at the turn of the 90s.

Audiences will be treated to a selection of worship songs, Helen’s own experiences and a smattering of her greatest hits.

Tickets for the Burnley show are available from Paul Wicks on 07729 180781.