A SELL-OUT swing concert at a York theatre has raised £3,000 for a cancer charity.

York Swings Against Cancer at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre on Sunday featured the sounds of popular swing music from the past seven decades.

Organiser Graham Bradbury said that from the moment the curtain rose, the audience was immediately put “In the mood' asTom Marlow’s hand-picked 18 strong big band of students from the York St John University and the University of York, along with Mr Swing Dance Orchestra, played the popular Glenn Miller classic.

"This set the tone for the evening," he said. "Martin Lettin and Craig Jones were joined by children from Haxby Road Primary Academy for High Hopes and Candy Man, whilst the three female singers, Marie Louise Surgenor, Jo Theaker and Vicki Lightfoot Smith, sang Don’t Sit under the Apple Tree, Andrews-Sisters-style.

"There were excellent saxophone, double bass and trumpet solos throughout the night from the very accomplished band."

He said Tom Marlow came into his own at the start of the second act, working the audience while accompanying Jo Weaver’s Proud Mary, linking all the songs and showing his talent for the arrangements of many well-known swing hits.

"Former Emmerdale actress, Lauren Sheriston, was billed to sing but unfortunately a throat infection prohibited her. However, she did join Matin Lettin on stage for a cameo appearance and they dueted Dean Martin’s Things.”

"Lettin also sang Mr Bojangles when Jolley Gosnold appeared to take centre stage to tap dance in a show-stopping moment."

He said Ian Surgenor sang Van Morrison’s Moondance, Paul Anka gave an arrangement of the Oasis hit Wonderwall and the whole company sang acapella Hit the Road Jack, before Danny Weaver gave a tear-jerking version of My Way. The full ensemble then performed Sinatra’s New York, New York to close the 'fantastic' show.

Julie Russell, general manager of York Against Cancer, came on stage to thank performers and the audience for their 'wonderful' support.