A 12-hour music marathon to raise money for the organ in West Malvern was a great success say organisers.

Some 70 local musicians took part in the event at the Church of St James, playing in shifts and raising more than £1,000 to help fund urgent repairs to the organ.

John Raine, who plays the organ and organised the event said: "A fantastic twelve hours of music, from 10am until 10pm, was enjoyed by well over one hundred people and four dogs too, who crept in and out of the church at various stages of the day while the near non-stop performance rolled through its twenty sessions.

The musicians played hour or half-hour slots, covering a wide range of styles from baroque and classical to contemporary jazz and blues.

The performers ranged in ages from under 11 to over 70, and the ensembles included different combinations of voices and instruments, including choirs, folk-rock bands, a sitar and two hammered dulcimers.

Mr Raine said: "It was a day to be long remembered and warmest appreciation goes to everyone who played their part in making the event the success it so undoubtedly was - performers, audience, organisers and helpers."

The organ needs repair work to be done to the value of £29,000, and although the church has £16,000 in is funds which can be put

towards the work, that still leaves £13,000 to be found.

The next fundraising event is an auction of gifts and promises on Friday, June 19, and on July 25, the Gloucester Waites will play a concert of mediaeval music at the church.

If the organ's electrical system is not upgraded, it will become unplayable. Among the items that need replacing are 143 keys and pedal switches, 31 draw-stop solenoids and 14 thumb pistons, and members of the public can sponsor a switch for £10, a

solenoid for £50, or one of the pistons for £100.

Anyone who can help is urged to contact Rev David Nicholl at the Vicarage, 2 North Malvern Road, or by phoning 01684 561126.