ALED Jones will be winging his way back to Blackpool to hold a thank-you concert for everyone involved in the MRI Scanner Appeal in November.

Production and technical requirements are being discussed for the show which will take place at the Paradise Room, Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Aled said: "It's early days at the moment. We're involving many friends from the West End including Doctor Doolittle and Smoky Joe's Cafe.

"It won't be a huge lavish production. We'll be singing some shows from West End musicals and I'll be singing some songs from my new album - it beats learning all new material!

"I've been involved with the MRI Scanner Appeal before now and involved with Blackpool since we did Joseph which is one of the best summers I've had.

"I lived in St Annes while we did the show so I've got a close affinity with the whole area.

"The MRI is a great cause and they've raised the money so this concert will be a pat on the back for all those involved.

"We're all looking forward to it as its a change from London all of the time.

"I love Blackpool and St Annes is so different but so close - it's unbelievable. Some of the singers haven't been to Blackpool before so it'll be a few goes on the Big One and all that again.

"And I could be back in Blackpool very soon as well but I can't say more than that at the moment...

Wayne Fowkes, assistant director of West End smash, Dr Doolittle, said: "We have ideas to make a lovely, broad show to celebrate the end of the appeal and the plan is to do two 40 minute acts.

"There will be songs that everyone knows, some from musicals and some of Aled's new material - if you do too much of one type of thing, the audience gets bored so it'll be a nice bit of variety."

Elaine Fossett, appeals co-ordinator for the MRI appeal, said: "I can't think of a more appropriate way to finish of a spectacular appeal than with such a spectacular show."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.