WHEN crooner Terry Desmond notched up half a century in showbiz he wanted to make his celebration special.

So he arranged a dinner event at Horwich RMI, which attracted more than 200 paying guests who helped raise £1,350 for Bolton Hospice.

Terry, now aged 71, still sings swing regularly with several big bands in and around Bolton.

And, where he can, he likes to help raise money for charity.

He said: “I wanted to celebrate working in local showbusiness for 50 years. I decided to raise cash for Bolton Hospice at the same time, which is a good cause. I was delighted when so many people turned up.

“They were treated to a three course dinner and members of the Stagecoach School of Dancing joined me for my opening number.

“It was a great night.”

Terry, who lives in Westhoughton, sings with Jeriatric Jazz on the last Wednesday of every month at the Jolly Carter in Little Lever.

He also sings with the Art Lester Big Band at Horwich RMI every Tuesday and the Ron Hayes Big Band at Brackley Conservative Club in Worsley every other Thursday.