FOR cornet player Jimmy Hayes, a brass band concert next week will be a family affair.

When Jimmy found out his 18-month-old nephew, Charlie, had been diagnosed with an auto-immune illness, he thought he would use his musical skills to raise funds.

Charlie is being treated at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Hospital children's cancer ward.

The principal cornet player for the Carlton Main Frickley Band, in North Yorkshire, has organised a Northern All-Star Brass event to raise money for The Cancer Research Campaign.

The concert will be held at the McEwan Centre, Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, on Saturday, November 10, at 7.30pm.

Carlton Main Frickley will join up with the North-East's Ever Ready and Fishburn bands for the event.

Jimmy said: "It has never been done before and to get the band together is a great achievement. You are talking about the best brass band we could put together - probably in the world."

Tickets for the event are £6 or £4 concessions and are available by phoning or e-mailing David Morton on 01642 555956 or 07960 819156 or e-mail Davros