SONGS, poems and music were enjoyed at a special fundraiser.

A variety of performances, arranged by Bridport Mayor, Cllr Barry Irvine, raised funds for mental health awareness festival MindFest and the town’s youth and community centre.

David Powell brought the Minerva Choir, a group of talented young singers, to the event at the town hall on Friday, where they were joined by Katie Woodrow on flute and vocals and Lauren Good on keyboard and vocals. A series of moving poems written by Douglas Northover had been set to music by Mr Powell when he was headteacher of Burton Bradstock Primary School and the concert offered a unique opportunity to hear them. The songs told of the life of fishermen and women on the Chesil Beach and, on the walls, paintings illustrating village life of the past century by Fra Newbery. Mr Powell accompanied on the guitar.

The concert opened with two songs by Chloe Rainey, 14, accompanied by Lauren on piano. After the interval, popular local combo Pickwicks sang a series of well-known pop songs.

Kelvin Clayton and Simon Williams expressed thanks for donations to their charities, and Carole Irvine thanked the audience after the mayor left early to play King Richard in Robin Hood in pantomime at the Electric Palace.