A MAYOR has thrown open the stage to promising local bands at a gig to raise money for her charity fund.

Five-piece Blackburn group Fashionable Winos were the first band to volunteer their services for the concert in aid of the Mayor of Burnley's charities.

The outfit is well established on the local club and pub scene, and plays regular gigs in the area. They are currently working on their first single, set to be released later this year.

They will be joined at the Burnley gig by other bands, including New Breed of Monkey, from Nelson, and local DJs.

The Mayor of Burnley, Coun Lilian Clark, is raising money for Headway, a charity which supports people with brain injuries, and Wish Upon a Star, a charity which will send a terminally ill child on a holiday of a lifetime.

The Fashionable Winos are Laurie Peacock, vocalist; Greg Abell, guitarist; and Daniel "Munky" Hunt, drummer. Bass player Stephen Polanski and lead guitarist Dan Calderbank complete the line-up.

The band got their name after seeing a group of smartly-dressed drunks on Blackburn's Boulevard.

Coun Carole Galbraith, from the mayor's fund-raising committee, said "This is going to be an unbelievably wonderful pre-Christmas happening for young people. Fashionable Winos are already a legend on the local scene and we have also been very fortunate in attracting The New Breed of Monkey.

"I am also in discussions with other local bands. The response from our local rock bands has been stupendous."

The concert will be held at Rosegrove Unity Club, Rossendale Road, at 8pm on Thursday, November 27.