BEDFORD High School students have come to the rescue of a fund-raising cancer group.

They have stepped in to host a Christmas concert on December 15 to boost the Wigan and Leigh branch of Christies Against Cancer's fund-raising efforts after the event outgrew its planned venue.

The award-winning Laudamus Choir, acclaimed as one of the top 10 choirs in the UK, will be accompanied by the school's brass group.

The choir is made up of youngsters from Leigh and Wigan and one Leigh member has been treated at Christies.

Musical director Deborah Catterall said: "Such a close association with Christies has really made a difference to our drive and determination."

The charity group originally planned to have the concert in member Maureen Thorpe's Coffee Shop at Laurel Nurseries, Hindley Green, but it outgrew the venue and Bedford High offered to take it on.

The school is now a specialist college of business and enterprise and students are using their new-found skills to design and produce the posters, tickets and programmes for the event.

They will also be organising further fund-raising on the evening by running stalls, selling refreshments and soft toys.

Headteacher Mr Stephen Preston said: "I am delighted we are supporting Christies -- one of our partners in the business and enterprise status -- so we especially want to help them."

Tickets are £3.50 and £3 and will be available from December 1 on 01942 760032.