A band brought in the brass for a youngster who has captured thousands of hearts.

Pride Valley Brass Band's concert for five-year-old Hope Elliott, who has a rare facial condition, was a sell-out.

The event, in St Matthew's Church, Silksworth, raised £500 for the appeal launched by the Sunderland youngster's parents to pay for surgery.

Hope, of the Red House Estate, suffers from cystic lymphovenous malformation, which has left her face covered in cysts that restrict her breathing and strangle her facial nerves.

The Hope for Hope Trust Fund quickly raised £35,000 for an operation to be performed by reconstructive surgeon Professor Ian Jackson.

Money is still coming in and the total has passed the £100,000 mark.

Pride Valley Brass Band, formerly Silksworth Colliery Band, is sponsored by Seaham speciality bread-maker Pride Valley Foods, and is the national champion of the second section.

Bob Morton, musical director of the band, said: "We always enjoy playing at St Matthew's and it's even better when it is in aid of such a worthy cause."

Company managing director Andrew Cross said: "The response to the event was fantastic."