LEDBURY'S answer to Bob Geldof, Chris Loten, plans to put the town on the map with a mass performance of "Do They Know It's Christmas" in the parish church.

Mr Loten, of the New Mills estate, has already secured the support of the church, and Revd Tony Hodder at Ledbury Parish Church, to use St Michael of All Angels for a fund-raising event on behalf of the Band Aid campaign, - to help the Ebola victims of West Africa.

The idea is that people will perform the famous single, others will listen, and all will donate money to do so.

The lyrics will be projected, Karaoke style, on a big screen, so everyone can join in with the community sing-along.

Mr Loten said: "God knows why I'm running this. It's all a huge learning curve.

"I am of a certain age, I remember the original Band Aid and I respect Bob Geldof and Midge Ure for their relaunch of the Band Aid charity to fight the Ebola outbreak in Africa."

Mr Loten has already contacted various community choirs and music groups, and he fears their festive schedules may may it difficult for them to participate.

But he added: "I aspire to provide a platform for young and more marginal musicians who might have formed a band but never been offered the chance to perform in a community venue, let alone the parish church.

"Our greatest challenge is to raise the profile in the community and the church. If this event is to get off the ground, it will need the mass support of ordinary people."

The event is called "Live in Ledbury" Band Aid 30 and it will take place in the Parish Church on Saturday December 20, at 6pm.

Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Bob Barnes, cannot be there because it coincides with the Community Choir Concert in the Market Theatre, to raise funds for the mayoral charities, SSAFA and the Royal British Legion.

But Cllr Barnes said: "I welcome his idea. There's a lot of public interest and anything that can be done to ease the problems they are having in Africa must be welcomed.

"I hope it will be a successful evening."

Anyone wishing to get involved with "Live in Ledbury", or seeking further information should email curate@ledburyparishchurch.org.uk