Veteran rockers Smokie are boosting a charity appeal which aims to help cancer sufferers.

The Bradford band have agreed to give a rare live performance on home territory next week.

They will be on stage at the Victoria Hall Keighley, on November 28, supported by fellow Bradford group Made In Milwaukee, formerly Little Egypt.

All proceeds from the show will go to the Triangle Appeal, which was set up by Bingley man John Nevison to raise money for the cancer wards at Airedale General Hospital, Bradford Royal Infirmary and St James's Hospital in Leeds.

John and his friend, Kevin Gibson - licensee at Bingley's Star pub - hope the appeal will top £5,000.

More than 300 tickets have already been snapped up for the event, even though it has not been widely advertised.

Smokie, who have enjoyed chart success since the early 1970s with hits like Living Next Door To Alice and Needles and Pins, still draw huge audiences in Germany and Scandinavia.

But they have made only a handful of appearances in their native West Yorkshire in recent years. This will be Smokie's first gig on home soil since a fundraiser for the Diana Memorial Appeal at St George's Hall in Bradford last autumn.

"We're hoping it will be a sell-out so we can raise as much money as possible," said Mr Gibson. "We only have 40 tickets left and we're looking for a final push."

He and Mr Nevison persuaded Smokie to support the Triangle Appeal when they played a charity gig at Ilkley's Craiglands Hotel in aid of the Annette Fox Leukaemia appeal.

"We just had to keep asking them because they are very busy. It should be a great night," said Mr Gibson.

The band features founder member Terry Uttley on bass, Steve Pinnell on drums, Martin Bullard on keyboards, Mick McConnell on guitar and Mike Craft on vocals.

Tickets, which include a buffet, are £25 and are available from the Star in Bingley on (01274) 772607.

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