A RACECOURSE has hosted a concert to raise money for a charity that supports the armed services.

The Salute Our Heroes concert held at Sedgefield Racecourse on Saturday (NOV 17) featured performances from military bands playing the pipes and drums.

Singers and dancers also performed to raise money for ABF The Soldier’s Charity, formerly known as the Army Benevolent Fund.

The concert has been held every year since 2007 and music on Saturday was provided by the combined bands of Royal Signals Northern, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Pipes and Drums of 102 Battalion REME with dancers from Scott School of Highland Dancing, and singers John Rowland, Julie Pendleton and Alison Cochlan.

The near-capacity audience enjoyed a varied range of songs and music, which included the playing of a twin post horn gallop and double Swiss Alpine horns, as well as pipes and drums and Highland dancing.

General Manager of Sedgefield Racecourse Jill Williamson said: “Local people have to travel some distance to enjoy such performances and I thought it was high time that we had something here for them.

“We have supported ABF The Soldiers’ Charity for over three years now and will continue to support them in the coming years.

“The proceeds of this concert will help the charity to take care of soldiers attending the Personnel Recovery Unit based at Catterick Garrison and North East soldiers wounded or injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.”