TALANTED performers will be heading to Dorset to raise money for a community project.

Famous faces will be in Sherborne this weekend in efforts to fundraise for ArtsLink.

ArtsLink provides courses, classes, trips and events for the whole community in Sherborne and the surrounding area and receives its core funding from West Dorset District Council.

Sherborne will be entertained by live performances from some of the most experienced entertainers in the business.

The World Famous Players of London will stage an old time music hall style show including song, magic, dialogue, dance and laughter.

The show is being brought to the town by Jan Hunt who has taken leading roles in West End musicals, worldwide cabaret, pantomimes, radio, film and television where she is probably best remembered as the ‘Crackerjack girl'.

Jan is also a major theatre producer and was responsible for the stage productions of Dinnerladies, Keeping Up Appearances and Birds of a Feather.

Joining Jan will be John Styles, a distinguished magician and member of The Inner Magic Circle.

As well as performing on stage and in television shows such as Midsomer Murders, Inspector Morse and Eastenders, he has advised on and appeared in major films including Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, Disney’s 102 Dalmatians and The Polar Express.

John has also performed the comedic character he created, ‘The Chelsea Pensioner', several times at Buckingham Palace.

Also appearing are Linda Watts, who sings beautiful classical and light music with a career taking her all over the world; Andy Eastwood, a musician who toured extensively with Ken Dodd and is now considered one of the world’s foremost exponents of the ukulele; Goronwy Thom a versatile act who delivers stand-up comedy, circus skills, magic, live music, song, dance and improvisation and David Graham who is a major theatre producer as well as television regular, appearing in Brideshead Revisited, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and The Adventures of Sherlock Holme.

This event is the brain-child of Councillor Terry Farmer who supports Sherborne ArtsLink and wanted to stage a fundraising event to help the charity and the work it does for the local community through its programme of art and culture engagement.

The event will also support the West Dorset District Council chairman’s charities of choice.

Jennie Loader, co-director of ArtsLink said: "We are absolutely thrilled that this live performance is coming to Sherborne. This is a world class show, delivered here on our doorsteps and everyone who comes will have an amazing evening, see stars you would normal have to travel to the big cities to see, plus support the work we do for the local community.”

The event will take place at Digby Hall, Hound Street on Saturday, April 22 from 7pm and tickets are available from Sherborne Tourist Information at £12 each.