DEVIZES businessman and singer Bruce Hopkins, who 18 months ago was diagnosed with prostate cancer, has organised two concerts to raise money for research into the disease.

Mr Hopkins, 68, who lives in Patney, near Devizes, has already attracted a sell-out audience for a performance by King of Swing Asa Murphy for February 27 but now the artist has agreed to do a second date the following night.

It will Murphy's first performance in the south west and Mr Hopkins hopes he can fill the ballroom of the The Bear Hotel for a second evening.

He said: "I’m so please to get Asa to Devizes as he has not performed in the West country before. His home is in Liverpool and his professional career really started to take off on the cruise ships.

"I met him about 11 years ago when he was the headline act on Cunards QE2. I would go to the shows and afterwards pat him on the back and say how good they were and he would come back to watch me sing karaoke and afterwards pat me on the back and tell me to get off and let some other people sing.

"I have been raising money for Prostate Cancer Research for a while and I am keen to do everything I can for the charity. I realise the importance of the research."

He is taking a new drug to combat his own disease which is having good results. He said: "So far the signs of the drug's effect are very good. I have taken a step back from work but I am still doing a lot of performing myself which I really enjoy. It takes my mind off of things."

Mr Hopkins, who is now semi-retired but still works with his son James at the family business Devizes Fine Kitchens, was delighted when the performer agreed to come to Devizes and thrilled when he offered to do a second performance.

Mr Hopkins said: "I booked him for Saturday 27th February but this sold out just to people I knew. When I told him this he offered to stay over to do it all again on Sunday 28th February. Tickets sold for the first evening very quickly as it was mainly people I know but now we need to do it all over again.

"Aser is recognised as the UK’s top swing singer and he has played some very large venues so to get him in Devizes is something quite special. Besides swing he sings songs from the shows and rock and roll a all round entertainer."

Tickets for the February 28 evening, which starts at 7pm, cost £15 and are available from The Bear Hotel reception. Ring 01380 722444.