A FUND-raising concert for summer schools in Horwich, Rivington and Blackrod will be held at Rivington and Blackrod High School, on Friday, December 8.

Presented by the United Christian Singers under musical Director Walter Brisk and accompanist Geoff Ogden, this Advent celebration called Night of Miracles features the Bolton Youth Recorder and Consort under MD Peter Pemrick and the Bolton Parish Church Hand Bell Ringers with their leader Alan Forrester. The compere is Mike Cresswell.

Barbara Mason, the project co-ordinator for primary schools in Horwich and Blackrod is promoting the event.

Because of a common interest in Blackrod Primary School, she approached Reg Parry about the United Christian Singers taking part.

They will perform John Peterson's Christmas Cantata Night of Miracles. The United Christian Singers have recently performed before prisoners at Styal and Risley.

For the rest of the evening, Reg compiled an interesting "Christmassy" programme involving the other performers.

The summer schools project -- officially the Horwich and Blackrod Learning Community Project for Study Support -- was first organised this year at Blackrod Primary School, Horwich Parish School, Claypool School and Rivington and Blackrod High School with money from the New Opportunity Fund.

But there was only funding to include 160 children and as there are about 4,000 schoolchildren in Horwich and Rivington, many children were disappointed.

The summer school was such an overwhelming success, that Barbara was determined to raise funds to enable more children to be included next year. And the Night of Miracles was born.

Ticket details from Barbara Mason on 01204 695060 or Reg Parry on 01204 526862.