A SCHOOL choir is hoping to be in fine voice later this week to raise money for the Giving Tree Appeal.

Branksome School Choir, with soloists Katherine Bean, Polly McNaughten, and Janet Robinson, will be performing at the gala Christmas concert on Friday, at Darlington Arts Centre, from 7.30pm.

This is the fourth year a concert has been held in aid of the Giving Tree Appeal. All money raised from ticket sales will go to the charity, which works to give disadvantaged families in Darlington a good Christmas.

The concert will include traditional carols, seasonal songs and songs from the shows, as well as offering a chance for audience participation.

A spokeswoman for the Giving Tree Appeal said: "Each year support grows and grows, and this evening of music from locally grown talent shows how special the event has become. Everyone enters into the spirit of Christmas and community."

The appeal has already been supported by youngsters from Rise Carr Primary School, Darlington, who ran a fundraising stall at the school's Christmas fair and split the profits between a charity for Kosovo and the Giving Tree Appeal.

The appeal accepts donations of new and good quality second-hand gifts for the family.

Presents can be handed in at Asda, Alpha Radio or The Northern Echo offices in Priestgate, Darlington, which are all supporting the appeal.

Darlington Borough Council's social service department will collect, sort and distribute the gifts to families in need in the Darlington area.

Tickets for the Branksome School concert cost £5 for adults or £2.50 for concessions, and include a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. They are available from Janet Robinson on (01325) 346841.