YOUNGSTERS showed off their musical talents at a superb Christmas concert.

YOUNGSTERS showed off their musical talents at a superb Christmas concert.

St Andrew's Church in Felixstowe was packed for the event presented by Deben High School - with dozens of musicians from the youngest to the sixth form taking part.

The evening also featured a retiring collection for the Evening Star Christmas appeal, raising £146 towards the fund to pay for the training of loveable guide dog puppy Star.

The pup, looked after by her puppy walker Penny Parker, was also present during the evening, lying on the floor at the back of the church and listening to the music and afterwards meeting people.

The music for the evening included Christmas pieces alongside others, such as the theme from Jurassic Park, Handel's Entrance of the Queen of Sheba, Mamma Mia, Purcell's Two Rondeaux, and Tchaikovsky's March of the Nutcracker, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Waltz of the Flowers.

Performers from the school, a specialist college for the visual and performing arts, included the Jazz Band, Blowouts, flute choir, Deben Sticks, orchestra, string groups and choir.

Also on the evening, certificates were presented for musical progress and achievement to Ben Avery, Rose Hartley, Kimberley Hines, Jennifer Lambert, Katie Richardson, Jenna Walker and Niall Williams.

The Peter Ainger Award for outstanding contribution to music at the school was presented jointly to Ben Winton, Rose Carpenter, Ruth Lilley, Felicity Butcher, Imogen Tink and Grace Emery.

Has your family been helped by the Guide Dogs - tell us your stories about this amazing charity: write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk

HOW TO GET INVOLVED . . .

The aim is to raise £10,000 to help with the cost of Star's training - and we want the whole community to get involved with the appeal.

Every penny and pound will count and ensure that the little puppy get the best care and training as she is prepared to do the job of guiding someone who lives every day of their lives with the blight of blindness.

If you are organising a fundraising event for the appeal, then we want to hear so we can give it maximum publicity and help boost the amount raised.

So let us know what you are up to - get in touch with Richard Cornwell at the Felixstowe Newsdesk on 01394 284109 or the Ipswich Newsdesk on 01473 324788.

To donate to the appeal, please send cheques - made payable to the Guide Dogs - to Richard Cornwell, Evening Star, 172 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7DU.

Anyone with coppers - one pence or tuppences - can drop them off at either the Felixstowe or Ipswich offices of the Evening Star.