LIBERTY X vocalist Kevin Simm joins a line-up of top local talent for a festive charity show next month.

Popular Barrow boyband Mystical Experience are back together for the concert at The Forum, which will be the first to raise money for the newly-founded Jo's Appeal.

The new fund, which supports three causes: Furness General Hospital Oncology Unit, St Mary's Hospice and the The Eve Appeal, was set up in memory of Evening Mail journalist Jo-anne Davies, who died in August, having fought a brave battle against cancer.

The concert on Wednesday December 9 has been organised by Denis Horan, who performs on the evening as one half of Mystical Experience. He said: "

Chris (Campbell) and I started doing it in about '97 or '98 and the boy band thing was massive at the time.

"It was before Facebook and the internet really, so we were doing a lot of shows and the only way to get the word out there was in the Mail.

"Kids went mad for it, and we did a few shows at The Forum, but it was Jo that was the one who practically kicked it all off by always giving us mentions on the 5 to 13 Club page.

"We've both gone on to be full-time professional singers, and that's where it all started."

After successful reunion shows at The Forum and Christmas light switch-ons, Mystical Experience impressed once more at this summer's KidFest, in Barrow.

With fans calling for another local date, the pair will be joined by fellow local names Lisa Hart - the organiser of KidFest - and Beth Horan performing Christmas Classics, while they've also called upon old friend Kevin Simm - fresh from an arena tour with chart-topping Brit Award winners Liberty X.

"This came about because Kid Fest went so well and a lot of people were asking if we were going to be putting a show on," said Denis.

"It is nice to be doing a show for a cause that is worthy, and for me it is something nice to do for Jo's memory. I'm not going to pretend I knew her really well, but it is a good way of saying thank you for everything she did for us back in the early days.

"And if this is the last show we do - which is a big possibility - then it's a nice way to complete it."

Tickets for the show are on sale from The Forum box office, priced £12 for adults and £9 for children and concessions. All profits after covering expenses will be donated to the charity.