THE fruits of a charity concert have been handed over.

On Friday last week members of the Basingstoke Ladies Choir visited the Basingstoke Foodbank to present a cheque for £1,534.15 to Paula Vallance, the operations and development manager.

The money came from a concert held at Bishop Challoner School in November last year where the ladies choir were joined by the school's own choir.

Paula said: "2017 has seen a rise in the number of people in the Basingstoke and Deane region who have required our support. However, our community has risen to the challenge and the donations received have been able to support this increased need.

"The wonderful sum of money raised by the Basingstoke Ladies Choir from their concert will be used to defray the £20,000 per annum that it costs to keep the Foodbank open in Sarum Hill."

In 2017, more than 3,600 people were given three days worth of emergency food, including over 1,100 children by the Basingstoke Foodbank which is now in its sixth year of operation.

The foodbank works on a pre-authorised voucher system.

Basingstoke Ladies Choir support local charities during the year with its next concert, A Celebration of Life and Love, on April 28 at the Carnival Hall raising funds for funds for St Michael's Hospice. Tickets are £12 which includes a glass of wine or soft drink.

To book, call 01256 325457, email magsbaz@ntlworld.com or go to Dawson’s Music Shop in Festival Place.

For more details about choir events go to basingstokeladieschoir.co.uk and for the foodbank go to basingstoke.foodbank.org.uk.