WEST End star Cassidy Janson was in Wiltshire on Saturday to support a winter ball that raised more than £20,000 for Julia's House children's hospice.

A day earlier Ms Janson had been on BBC's Children In Need show and has also just launched her first album with fellow leading ladies Beverley Knight and Amber Riley.

Julia's House fundraiser Ged Montgomery, who has been a friend of Ms Janson since she sang at his mother's funeral ten years ago, was delighted that the star put in a surprise appearance at Wellington Barn at Calstone, near Calne for the ball.

The star of West End shows such as Beautiful and Wicked then sang for her supper to the delight of guests.

Mr Montgomery said: "She is due to appear at next week's Royal Variety Show and Strictly Come Dancing so it was amazing she could be with us. The event raised over £20,000 which was quite incredible amount, but no doubt helped by Cassidy's total commitment to such a worthy cause."

Earlier this year Julia's House opened its second children's hospice at a site in Devizes and was helped with its fundraising by Gazette readers who helped us reach our £100,000 target to pay for nursing care for sick children for a year.

Ms Janson said: "Despite it being such a hectic time, it was such an honour to sing at the Julia's House Winter Ball. I hope it helped raise a considerable amount for a fantastic local charity."

Her new album is called Songs From The Stage which sees the three women performing classic songs from a host of favourite West End musicals, from Cats to The Bodyguard. Included is the Yuletide song Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

The next fundraising event for Julia's House in Wiltshire will be a candlelit carol concert at St John's Church, Devizes on December 5. Royal biographer Penny Junor and actress Stephanie Cole will be among the guest readers along with performances by the Lyneham Military Wives and St Margaret's Preparatory School choirs.

Doors open at 6.15pm for a 7pm start. Following the concert, guests will be invited to stay and enjoy mulled wine and mince pies. Entrance by ticket go to https://www.juliashouse.org/event/carols-by-candlelight-wiltshire