A farewell concert by an East Lancashire light opera company has raised £3,000 for the forces charity, Help for Heroes.

Burnley and Pendle Gilbert and Sullivan Theatre Company celebrated its 40th anniversary, at Burnley Mechanics on February 4, with a gala concert featuring favourites from 12 G&S operettas.

Company spokesman Rod Crocker said: “We went out in a blaze of glory.

"We had a cast of 50, with some singers coming out of retirement to prove that brilliance never tarnishes.

“We were delighted to give all the proceeds to a charity which helps servicemen and their families in East Lancashire.”

North West representative of Help for Heroes, Arthur Rowe, attended the concert.

He said: “This was a magnificent effort from dozens of singers who gave their all for a worthy cause.”

Burnley and Pendle G&S has been forced to close, having had to cancel two productions due to a lack of chorus members, and falling audience numbers at a time when costs have been increasing.

An extraordinary general meeting will be held on April 5.

The company’s first production, in 1971, was The Mikado.