LOCAL bands and singers are putting their all into a concert at Five Acres on Saturday (January 15) in aid of the Help for Heroes fund.

The event has been organised by a Lydney ex-Grenadier Guard whose daughter Arianna, one of the featured singers, has just signed an EMI recording contract and is about to star in a new feature film.

Luciano D'Amato, whose father was recruited in Italy to work at Lydney's tin-plate works, has also signed up Chepstow band Crash and Berney and Bourgeoisie from Lydney, Thornbury singer Sam Kinsella and award-winning band Social Consent from Bristol for the non-stop gig.

"The musicians are all keen to come together and support such a good cause," said Luciano, whose dad joined a big Italian community at one time billeted near Lydney Docks.

"I believe the recruiting officer actually told dad the Severn estuary was very much like the Italian Riviera," he said.

Luciano served in Northern Ireland and his brother Paul is also a former soldier who saw service in the Falklands. He is very proud of his daughter who is on the threshold of an exciting music career and has a part in the upcoming film Urban Hymn, shortly to be filmed in Bristol.

In all there are eight performers and the doors open at 6.30pm with music from 7.30pm. Tickets can be bought at branches of Kevin J Toombs, from the Five Acres box office or on the door.

Luciano also said he wanted to thank the sponsors who have backed the concert.