A FUNDRAISING gig on Saturday saw a 1960s band collect more than £2,000 for a cancer treatment centre that is close to their hearts.

Nostalgia Showband's lead singer Ken Sherwood's wife Lynn was treated by The Christie before she died in November.

Ken and his fellow band members Richard Carter, Jim Yates, Lee Reynolds and John Gregory wanted to repay the centre for the high level of care and support its staff gave to Lynn and her family.

They organised Saturday's show to raise funds to enable The Christie to help other families and were delighted that 150 people turned up to the Botanical Gardens Association in Atherton for what turned out to be a sell-out performance.

Ken, 73, of Mayfield Street, Atherton, who was married to Lynn for 50 years, said: “Nothing was too much trouble for the staff at The Christie and you were made to feel like royalty.

“It is such an incredible place and we wanted to give something back for how well they looked after Lynn."

Lead guitarist Richard, 70, added: “It was such a good atmosphere on Saturday night, with lots of people affected by cancer attending to show their support for the cause.

“We are very grateful for all the donations we have received, including lots of gifts from businesses for the raffle.”

The five-piece band regularly tour around the north of England.

Some of the band members have been playing together in various groups for more than 40 years.

Singer Tina Summers also entertained the crowd on Saturday, while Quentin Smith and Rick Carter managed the raffle.