HOLLIE Steel will perform at East Lancashire Hospice’s ‘Light Up A Life’ event at Blackburn Cathedral.

The 13-year-old singer, from Huncoat, is set to appear at a special service hosted by the charity on Monday, December 19.

Christmas is an emotional time for many who have lost a friend, or family member, and Light Up A Life celeb-rates their lives.

Starting at 7.30pm, the service will include traditional hymns and carols sung by the Britain’s Got Talent finalist, and Blackburn Music Society.

Since finishing sixth in the TV talent show in 2009, Hollie has released several singles and two albums.

From May to October this year she starred as Louisa von Trapp in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s UK tour of The Sound of Music, and she has just returned from recording sessions in Italy with the American-based oper-atic pop artist Romina Arena.

Hollie’s mum Nina, 39, said: “Hollie sang at the Light Up A Life event last year in the hospice grounds. We were happy to do it again because Hollie loves the cause and it’s excellent that she will be singing at the cathedral.

“Her brother, Joshua, is to sing with her. Hollie has released a Christmas album and they will perform When A Child Is Born, their duet from the album.”

The appeal will also see trees in the hospice’s grounds, in Park Lee Road, Blackburn, illuminated, and people are invited to make a donation to shine a light in memory of a loved one.

The lights will remain lit over the festive period.

Denise Gee, hospice events fund-raiser, said: “Christmas time can be difficult, particularly when that special person who lit up our lives is no longer with us.

"Light Up A Life gives people the opportunity to remember loved ones in a positive way.”

To make a donation visit www. eastlancshospice.org.uk or call 01254 733411.