A POPULAR band will perform at an annual charity concert this year in memory of a York mum, who lost her fight against cancer just weeks after her 50th birthday.

York mod band The 5:15’s are among the acts confirmed for this year’s York Rocks Against Cancer gig, and they will take to the stage at the event to honour Annette Harrison.

The gig has become a firm favourite in the city’s music calendar and the fourth annual event is set to raise the roof at the Grand Opera House on March 24 at 7pm.

This Sunday, The 5:15’s will perform outside Sainsbury’s in Monks Cross at 10am to kick off the York Rocks Against Cancer campaign, which is in aid of York Against Cancer.

Steve Lee, The 5:15’s vocalist, said: “Cancer charities are particularly close to our hearts, particularly since we lost one of our most lovely and loyal fans to the disease last year.

“Annette Harrison, former Press staffer, passed away in September last year.

"This will be the first charity gig we’ve performed since Annette’s passing, so it will be a poignant moment for us all.

"The Grand Opera House is our hometown’s most prestigious venue and we’re thrilled to be invited back to help raise the roof - and raise money for such an important cause.”

Hundreds of people turned out for the funeral of Annette Harrison after she died in September last year.

Annette was involved with local scooter club Acomb Retro Scooter Enthusiasts and The 5:15’s headlined a festival organised by the club last summer, raising £4,000 for Macmillan Cancer Care.

Annette worked in the editorial department of The Press for 14 years.

The rest of the line-up for York Rocks Against Cancer will be revealed over the next few weeks - keep an eye on the event’s Facebook page for full details.

Previous gigs have raised more than £20,000 for York Against Cancer, thanks to star turns from the likes of the Emmerdale cast, Rick Witter of indie band Shed Seven and Chris Helme, formerly of The Seahorses.

Steve said: “This Sunday might be a chilly start but we’re determined to kick off this year’s York Rocks Against Cancer with a bang.”

Stuart Martel, deputy editor, who worked with Annette, said: “Annette is and always will be fondly remembered by everyone at The Press as a kind, funny, confident and friendly person, who enjoyed life and loved her family.

“It was a pleasure for us all at the paper to have known her, and she is sorely missed."

Tickets for York Rocks Against Cancer are available from ATG Tickets http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/york-rocks-against-cancer/grand-opera-house-york/