A SELL-OUT concert in Tadcaster has raised thousands of pounds for flood victims and united the local community - after winning Royal backing.

More than 400 people attended the event at the town's Riley Smith Hall on Sunday, which took place almost three months after the River Wharfe burst its banks on Boxing Day, flooding local businesses and homes.

A message from the Duke of York, who visited Tadcaster in the wake of the floods, was read out at the start of the concert.

He said he had witnessed first hand the devastating effects of the floods on both residents and businesses. "I was, however, greatly impressed by the resilience of the local community and the wonderfully positive spirit in working together to ensure that Tadcaster recovers both quickly and strongly as such a traumatic time," he said.

"I have followed closely the inspiring re-building and fundraising efforts of those throughout Tadcaster and the wider county. Such indefatigable work clearly demonstrates that most powerful and unique Yorkshire spirit of which you should all feel extremely proud."

Concert spokeswoman Wendy Binns said Tadcaster Grammar School’s Big Band performed old favourites such as Glenn Miller and more recent popular hits such as Cry Me A River.

Children from the town's three primary schools, Riverside, Tadcaster East and St Joseph's, were joined by adults such as firefighters, paramedics. local clergy and footballers, in singing a song called Tadcaster in Union, especially written for the occasion by Gillian Hainsworth, a music teacher at the school and leader of the Big Band.

Wendy said a cheque for £2,200, raised through ticket sales, was handed to representatives of the Tadcaster Flood Support and Fundraising group.

However, another £900 was also raised through the sale on the day of 200 special Yorkshire Rose pins, decorated with white enamel and highly polished,which were donated by Adrian Buckley, owner of Leeds-based fashion jewellery brand Buckley London. Other pins will be sold later.

She said a raffle and tombola were also held, and she expected the event to have raised a total of between £3,000 and £4,000 for the appeal.

She said the event was attended by a deputy lieutenant of North Yorkshire, David Kerfoot, and by Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams, who spoke of his pride at the way the community had rallied together since the floods.