THE rich sounds of a choir supported by an array of jazz, blues, folk and rock and roll musicians raised £550 for the victims of the East African food crisis at the weekend.

The West Somerset Hotel in Watchet hosted the event, which involved more than 50 musicians and singers performing without a fee in a 12-hour music marathon.

Local performers such as Stewart Michaels, Ramblin Steve, Barry Cool, and Jaysonjohn combined with Kat Black, a special guest from Bristol, to put on a show which attracted a large crowd, cheering and dancing until midnight.

“The atmosphere was tremendous and we will certainly do it again,” said Pete Stevenson of the West Somerset Intercultural Friendship Group ,which organised the event.

Claire Johnson, who was attracted to the event after hearing singing whilst walking past the hotel, said: “The Watchet Community Choir were a highlight for me.”

The money raised will be sent to Oxfam for the victims of the famine in Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia.