MACMILLAN Cancer Relief is to launch a £400,000 appeal to boost its services in the York area.

And one of the biggest major fundraising events will be a concert in York Minster to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

The Northern Sinfonia and Yorkshire Bach Choir are to perform Haydn's Creation in the cathedral on Saturday, June 1.

The charity's fundraising manager, Wilma Burniston, says the appeal is intended to provide additional Macmillan services.

"These include a lead cancer nurse, a head and neck specialist nurse and a 'GP facilitator'."

"Macmillan is committed to providing co-ordinated and consistent care for those with cancer, and these roles are instrumental in developing such care for the York district."

Wilma said up to 1,500 people may attend the concert, which will feature soprano Yvonne Seymour, tenor James Gilchrist, bass Stephen Varcoe and conductor Peter Seymour.

"Chairing the event will be Lady Susan Watson, and we are hoping that her brother, the Earl of Halifax, will be patron of the event," she said, adding that the Prince of Wales, the charity's patron, had also been invited.

She said it would be an "Everyman" event, with tickets priced at between £6 and £20, and a broad target audience including residents, visitors to North Yorkshire and Macmillan supporters.

She hoped the concert, sponsored by Garbutt & Elliott, Rollitt Farrell Bladon solicitors and HSBC, would be one of the key Golden Jubilee events in the region.

* For more information on the appeal and concert, phone Wilma on 01904 651700.

Updated: 10:28 Thursday, January 03, 2002