Hagley-born soprano Paula Downes has stepped in at the last minute to sing in a charity concert organised by Stourbridge-based performance group, Gig Caritas.

Paula, who is developing an international reputation for her singing and film-making, will join a total of around 100 performers from Stourbridge Chamber Orchestra and the Restoration Chorus under the baton of Keith Horsfall on Saturday March 25 at Holy Trinity Church, Wordsley.

They will perform an evening of Choral Classics including Vivaldi’s 'Gloria', the 'Hallelujah' and 'Amen' choruses from Handel’s 'Messiah' and Mendelssohn’s 'O for the Wings of a Dove'.

Paula, now based in Cambridge, came to the rescue after Nina-Maria Fischer, who was originally jetting in from Berlin to perform, was forced to cancel. She said:

“It is lovely to be able to come back to sing in my home area and join forces with such an accomplished group of musicians to perform some of the greatest music ever written. I’m really looking forward to it.”

None of the performers is taking a fee and all proceeds will go to Brierley Hill Samaritans. Tickets are £10 and are available on the door or from gigcaritas.com.