YOUNG musicians at Middlesbrough’s myplace youth centre are staging a special festival in honour of a fellow member who died last year.

Abbi Steedman, who died of cancer in 2016, was a popular figure in the Thursday evening mixed ability youth sessions, with the group going on to secure funding from The Big Music Project.

At their first project meeting Abbi’s fellow musicians decided they wanted to celebrate her life by organising a musical festival in her memory.

With the blessing of her parents they are putting on the #forever15 festival tomorrow, featuring performances of her favourite songs.

Centre manager Tracey Smith said: “Abbi was very popular member, and her death greatly affected her many friends at myplace. It left many of them feeling sad and lost – but coming together to host and perform the #forever 15 festival has created a real buzz, and helped them channel their grief into something really positive in Abbi’s memory.

Also attending the free event, between 6pm to 8pm, will be the Cleveland Police Interceptors, Apollo Arts and official MFC drummers.