BOLTON gets its first chance to help Britain to gold in next year's Olympic Games when a fund-raising concert is held at the Albert Halls this month.

A rousing concert of classic music with an American Olympic theme is promised by Corus Brass Ensemble, a Bolton-based group with a reputation as one of the UK's finest brass formations.

It takes place on Friday, November 17, at 8pm, and launches a six-month programme of fund raising. All profits will go to the appeal to raise funds to send the British team to Atlanta next July and August.

The British team relies entirely on sponsorship and donations, receiving no funding from government. In the North West, the Greater Manchester Appeal, to which Bolton is affiliated through the South Lancashire Olympic Appeal Council, has pledged to raise £200,000. The concert, which includes such favourites as Fanfare for the Common Man, Georgia on my Mind, St Louis Blues and The Stars and Stripes Forever, gives Corus Brass Ensemble the opportunity to display their diverse styles, from classical brass to big band swing.

Tickets, priced at £5, are available from the information desk at the Albert Halls in Bolton Town Hall, the Bolton Evening News, and the Midland Bank branches at Deansgate, Farnworth and Astley Bridge.

Tickets can also be obtained by sending a cheque or postal order payable to the British Olympic Appeal, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope to: Olympic Concert, Promotions Dept, Bolton Evening News, Churchgate, Bolton BL1 1DE.

Bolton police, who are represented on the appeal council, will be putting extra patrols on town centre car parks during the evening.

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