AMATEUR singers are adding their voices to a bid to raise funds for a hard-up hospice.

Redcar Operatic Society will be singing with the stars. One of the best known operatic societies in the North-East, the amateurs are to join stars of West End musicals on stage at the Riverside stadium.

They will join members of the London casts of Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, who will perform in aid of the Teesside Hospice.

The concert is being staged at the Cellnet Riverside Stadium, home of Middlesbrough Football Club, on July 21.

The society is currently in rehearsals for Mame, to staged at Middlesbrough Theatre next week.

Musical director Wayne Shellard, said: "Although we have been polishing off the final touches to the excellent show Mame, we are looking forward to joining the West End stars and Scottish Chamber Orchestra in this unique opportunity for Redcar Operatic and the people of Teesside.''

The amateur opera singers will join the professionals in a selection of songs from the hit show Les Miserables.

John Gladstone Smith, director of music for The Beautiful Game - Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton's West End show - was on Teesside yesterday to finalise the programme.

He will be conducting the stars and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

The performance will include songs from the King and I, Chess, The Phantom of the Opera, The Beautiful Game and Les Miserables.

Director of nursing Sandra Young said the concert could play a crucial role in raising funds to help pay for the £1.3m annual costs of hospice services.

Nicky Adams, one of the West End stars who will be performing at the stadium, will join hospice staff today for the half-time draw as Boro entertain West Ham in their last Premier League game of the season.

He said: "I am used to performing to full houses in the West End. However, the thought of being introduced to 30,000 plus fans is a new one for me.''

Advance tickets for the concert are available from the Get It Centre in Albert Road, Middlesbrough, opposite the town hall or by telephone (01642) 358087 or 659999 for corporate bookings.