VILLAGERS will stage a third fundraising concert tonight in memory of a girl killed in a road accident on the eve of her fourth birthday.

Aleisha Ord died in a collision with a bus as she crossed a road in her home village of Murton, east Durham, in May 2001.

In the wake of the tragedy, her parents, Michelle and John, backed by family, friends and the people of Murton, raised £25,000 to equip a play park at Aleisha's old nursery school in the village.

Much of the total was raised at a concert at which local singers and other performers gave their services free of charge.

A second concert, last year, raised money for a book, Princess Aleisha, in her memory.

The third concert will be staged at The Glebe Centre, Murton, tonight, from 7pm.

It includes a mixture of popular classics and music from the shows, and features Murton singer John Foley, a tenor who will travel from London to perform with American soprano Connie Kunkle.

They have taken a break from their performing schedules to travel to County Durham to rehearse for the show over the past 48 hours.

Proceeds from the concert, also featuring pianist Joan Taylor and cellist Charlotte Booth, will this year go towards the Grace House Appeal, a £5m bid to build a children's hospice in Sunderland.

Mrs Ord, who thanked all those involved for their support, urged people to enjoy an evening at the concert to help a worthy cause.

"The more money we raise, the quicker the hospice will be built," she said.

"I'm doing this to keep my daughter's memory alive. She was so special to me. She was a special little girl."

Admission is £10, with tickets available through the day from the Glebe Centre, in Church Street.

Further information is available by calling 0191-520 8650.