LEDBURY'S Market Theatre was the venue for a Variety Show held to raise funds for St Michael’s Hospice, at Bartestree.

Event spokesman, Jan Long said: "From the outset the atmosphere was vibrant and merry, with a mixture of sparkle, stardust, sensation, joy and surprise.

"Concertgoers were soon singing along and clapping their hands to the medley of popular songs from Abba, the Bangles, Ronnettes, all performed by the sexy and sassy “C-Quins” wearing their trademark shimmering outfits."

The -Quins were backed by ‘Now or Never’, on guitars, drums, keyboard and piano.

Mrs Long said: "The tempo changed when the lovely Soprano Livia King performed a musical programme including “I feel pretty” from West Side Story by Bernstein and Sondheim, classics sung in German then a brilliant Shirley Bassey number from the James Bond film, Diamonds are Forever with Ledbury’s own Malcolm Macleod providing piano accompaniment.

"The hauntingly lovely voice of Deborah Rose entranced the audience as she sang her own signature compositions, an exciting rendition of the Dolly Parton song, Jolene, and was accompanied by the hugely talented guitarist Matt Worley."

Deborah Rose, who has plans to write songs about Ledbury’s local poetess, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, completed her set with a version of the haunting Irish folk classic, Danny Boy.

The total amount raised is still to be announced.