Rock on Tommy! Top comedians Cannon and Ball are giving a free show to help build a £1 million church extension.

The born-again Christians are swapping glittering venues like the London Palladium to perform in a humble Bradford church.

The comedy stars are waiving their usual fees to raise around £9,000 to build a new youth and children's wing and extend the main church hall at the Abundant Life Church in Wapping Road.

And one of the church-goers who fixed up the concert for his church said he was delighted the comedy duo would be doing a star turn.

William Sugden, of Nab Lane, Nab Wood, who is a partner in Lancashire-based Wigwam Acoustics, said his partner, Mike Spratt, was a personal friend of Bobby Ball which clinched the special appearance.

He said: "We are really thrilled. They are Christians themselves and share in our vision and it is terrific that they are able to come along to help our project. They are not in the middle of a tour at the moment, but are doing just this concert and another fundraising event in Rochdale for another Christian project."

Senior minister Paul Scanlon said: "We are delighted that Tommy and Bobby are coming.

"It is a comedy show but in their show they present their faith. They don't pull any punches.

"They share their personal story of how they finished up at rock bottom in showbusiness. They fell out and hated each other's guts.

"They would put on a face when they were on stage but off it they went their separate ways. They both came to faith in Christ at similar times and it transformed them personally."

Mr Scanlon said the church was planning to build a new two-storey children's and youth wing at the rear of its current building and also to increase the 900-seater main hall.

The project will cost up to £1 million and work on a nine-month building programme is tentatively scheduled to start in spring 1999. They are planning more fundraising events to hit the £1 million target.

Church-goers are delighted at the coup. Charlotte Gambill, who lives in Wibsey, said: "This project is very large and the fact that we've got such a big name as Cannon and Ball is really exciting, not only for the centre but also for Bradford. People are really looking forward to it."

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