A CELEBRATION of youth music in Maidstone is the theme for the annual Mayor's Charity Concert taking on Saturday, March 9. The concert, entitled The Best of Music and Movement in Maidstone, will showcase the talents of Kent Music School students and other young performers.

Ensembles from the Maidstone Music Centre, Maidstone Youth Music Society and the Kent Centre for Young Instrumentalists all feature in the varied programme. Maidstone and Mid Kent Young Musician of the Year 200, Indian drummer Eason Kumarasingham will also perform.

The event will raise money for the Mayor of Maidstone's two chosen charities for the year - Demelza House children's hospice near Sittingbourne, and Peggy Wood's Children's Ambulance Fund. The Mayor, Cllr Paulina Stockell, said: "Maidstone is home to some tremendous talent and the concert will be a wonderful opportunity to see first hand how talented some of these youngsters are and for us and them to experience the magic of live performance."

The concert takes place at Mote Hall, Maidstone Leisure Centre. Tickets priced £7.50 (£5 concessions) are available from the leisure centre box office on 01622 761111. Sponsorship tickets for the concert and a champagne reception are available from the Mayor's office on 01622 602183 priced £20.