TICKETS are selling fast for a charity concert by amateur musicians who have only had a few months to master their instruments.

Nine acts will perform at the One Night Only show in November to help raise £15,000 for Bolton Hospice.

Chris Newton, of recruitment firm Newton Employment in Darcy Lever, is behind the idea.

The 44-year-old is learning the piano and said: “We’re all starting to get excited and nervous while we practice our pieces.

“We have arranged a couple of dummy runs in front of a audience, which really does jangle the nerves.

“None of us are ready yet so the practising just gets more intense.

“It promises to be a night to remember but I’m glad that it’s for one night only!”

The other performers are The Bolton News’ assistant editor James Higgins; John Carr, managing director of Carr’s Pasties; retiree Linda Winrow; Amy Watkins, Karen Thornton and Neal Sanderson, of Leigh’s Paints, Sally Clough and student Joseph Greenhalgh.

They will play instruments including the guitar, violin and saxophone at the Last Drop Hotel in Bromley Cross on, Friday, November 27.

A panel of judges and audience members will whittle the acts down to a shortlist of three. The final winner will receive a trophy and £250 voucher for the Forsythe’s music shop in Manchester.

Phil Ashcroft, of Travel Counsellors, will host the evening, which will include a piano auction, a DJ, a hot pot supper with Carr’s pasties and comical performance by the budding musician’s teachers from Horwich-based Opus 1 Music Studios.

Guests will be able to get advice about learning and choosing an instrument and can sign up for next year’s concert.

Tickets for the event are on sale now. Almost 200 of the 450 tickets were sold in the first three days.

They cost £10, including food, and are available on 0844 858 0702.

You can also sponsor a competitor at boltonhospice-onenightonly.co.uk.

The organisers are appealing for raffle prizes and anyone who can help.

cherry.thomas@ theboltonnews.co.uk