IPSWICH Charity Concert Committee has today announced details of its concerts for 2008.The Leyland Band will appear at the town's Corn Exchange on Saturday April 5 and Brighouse and Rastrick Band at the same venue on Saturday June 14.

IPSWICH Charity Concert Committee has today announced details of its concerts for 2008.

The Leyland Band will appear at the town's Corn Exchange on Saturday April 5 and Brighouse and Rastrick Band at the same venue on Saturday June 14.

Committee secretary Tim Mutum said, “We are delighted to be welcoming back the Brighouse and Rastrick Band, and are especially pleased that the Leyland Band will be appearing in the spring as it will be their first visit to Ipswich.

“We are also very grateful for continued financial support from Ipswich Borough Council for both concerts, and for the 18th successive year the East of England Co-operative Society will be the principal sponsor of our summer concert.”

Beneficiaries from the two charity concerts will be The Priory Centre - a community church and social centre run by the Salvation Army in Ipswich, The King George's Fund for Sailors, Cancer Research UK and the Ipswich Hospital Ear Nose and Throat Equipment Fund.

Last year's concerts, featuring the International Staff Band and Grimethorpe Colliery Band, raised £6,000 for charity. Since 1990 the Ipswich Charity Concert Committee has presented 37 concerts and raised £53,885 for charity.

Tickets for the concerts can be obtained from the box office on 01473 433100.

Are you a fan of brass bands? Have you benefited from charity's supported by the concerts? What do you think? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk