HE has played with some of the most famous names in the music business including Ray Charles, The Three Degrees, Sir Tom Jones, James Brown and Paul McCartney.

One of the country's leading saxophonists, Snake Davis has also appeared on The Tube, Later with Jools Holland and Top of the Pops as well as working on film scores with the likes of Dave Stewart, Pet Shop Boys and Sting.

And next month the virtuoso sax player will play Ripon, North Yorkshire, at a fundraising concert for Ripon Community Link - after answering a letter penned by "super fan" Stevie Blair.

The 36-year-old, a past winner of the Ripon Activity Project Talent Contest Trophy for his own sax playing and singing, was thrilled to receive a reply from Snake to say his band would break off their national Classic Sax Solos tour to perform for free in the city.

Mr Blair, who lives in Ripon and is a user of the charity, said: "Snake Davis has donated his own time to the gig.

"It means a lot to Ripon Community Link that Snake has helped us."

The charity enables people with learning difficulties to achieve their life long goals and the concert will help boost their coffers.

The Snake Davis Band will perform a set of original compositions from their latest album and back catalogue alongside classic pop soul and jazz numbers by artists from Prince to John Lennon and Dave Brubeck.

He is widely known for his solos on tracks such as Lisa Stansfield's Change, M-People's Search For A Hero and Moving On Up and Take That's A Million Love Songs.

Snake Davis said: "Stevie Blair has been a super fan and supporter of my music for as long as I can remember and I'm excited to be doing this show with him for Ripon Community Link."

Since being launched in 1990, the charity has provided its users opportunities to develop skills, therapies, activities, such as a regular walking group, bespoke care plans, volunteering and employment opportunities and social enterprises, including Ripon Walled Garden, alongside services such as advocacy and shopping for housebound people.

It aims to raise at least £50,000 a year to support and develop its operations.

Tickets for the show at Ripon Spa Hotel, Park Street, Ripon, on Thursday, October 8, at 7.30pm, cost £15, are available by calling 01765-607461 or emailing info@riponcommunitylink.org.uk