ONE of the region's outstanding singers is relishing doing her bit for charity.

Kath Ireland, from Peterlee, east Durham, is performing a selection of songs to help the Macmillan Cancer Relief County Durham Appeal.

When she sings at Elvet Methodist Church, Durham, next Friday, it will not be the first time she has used her talents to help the cause.

"I have sung for them before, including a concert at Raby Castle with Sir Thomas Allen last year when we helped to raise more than £9,000," said Ms Ireland, who has just won a rose bowl for singing at the Blackpool Festival Championship.

She is particularly looking forward to performing at a venue where she has always been in the audience in the past.

"I have been to many concerts at the church but not performed there," she said.

Ms Ireland, who will be accompanied by the Ormston Singers, shares the bill with Durham University Choral Society conducted by James Lancelot, which will perform Vivaldi's Gloria and a selection of madrigals.

When she is not performing up and down the country, Kath works for a flooring and suspended ceiling contractor in Gateshead. Despite her busy life, she has to put in at least an hour's singing practice every day.

Macmillan is hoping for a full house next Friday to help them raise £500,000 towards its target of £600,000.

The concert starts at 7.50pm. Tickets, which cost £7.50 (£6 for under-15s and students) and include refreshments, are available by ringing the Macmillan office in Durham on 0191-378 1188 or from the Durham Tourist Information Centre, in Millennium Place.