TOP bands The Crack and Jigsaw took to the stage in Dorchester to raise cash for the Dorset Echo Toy Appeal.

Caretakers at the town's Corn Exchange Pete Hopkins and Steve Charles organised the night to help boost the coffers of the annual toy appeal, which collects gifts for needy children across Dorset.

The duo had struck a deal with the Early Learning Centre to buy toys for the appeal with a 25 per cent discount.

Mr Hopkins said: "The Dorset Echo toy appeal is a fantastic cause and we wanted to do something to support it so we came up with the idea of organising a concert to support it and raise as much money as possible."

The Dorset Echo toy appeal is now in its eighth year and helps make Christmas special for needy youngsters every year.