LOCAL soloists are to take part alongside a military band in a musical performance this weekend.

Val MacConachie and 16-year-old Danielle Rippon are to perform with the Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai band in ‘Footlights' in Darlington this Saturday.

The concert, which also features the Darlington-based Richardson Singers takes place at St Aidan's Academy.

Mrs MacConachie, who has featured as a soloist for a number of choirs and choral societies, will perform Puccini's ‘Oh My Beloved Father' and Benedict's ‘Gypsy and the Bird'

Miss Rippon, from Gainford, County Durham, will sing ‘Send in the Clowns' from a ‘A Little Night Music'.

The concert will also feature music by Wagner, Kander's ‘And All That Jazz' and ‘We Beseech Thee' from Godspell.

The band, which is based at Catterick Garrison, will perform Khachaturian's waltz from ‘Masquerade', Lehar's ‘Vilia', as well as selections from West Side Story, Les Miserables and Andrew Lloyd Webber's, ‘A Concert Celebration'.

The concert has been sponsored by Darlington Vauxhall dealer Sherwoods and proceeds will go to the Corps of Army Music Trust, which gives aid to current and former army musicians.

Tickets for the concert are available from the academy on 01325-373770, the Dolphin Centre on 01325-388406, Irene Hobson on 01325-260869 and Ivor Shirley on 01325-352862.