The hallowed confines of a York church will be transformed into the city's latest acoustic venue to raise money for the Guardian Angels appeal.

Church workers at St Paul's, Holgate, are to clear away the pews for the evening to showcase a range of musical talent at its new bi-monthly Bridge Jam event.

Proceeds will be donated to The Press's appeal to pay for a new high-dependency unit in the children's ward at York Hospital.

Acoustic performer Alex Willmott, will headline the first night on Thursday, when he will road-test new material, alongside highlights from his Hiding From Cars album.

Matt Woodcock, the St Paul's community evangelist and Bridge Jam organiser, hopes to make the church building more accessible.

"From the outside, St Paul's is not the prettiest of buildings with the iron bridge next to us, but I don't mind being classed as the big ugly sister of the York church family because it's all about what we do inside.

"We're blessed with a fantastic space, which will only get better once the improvement work is finished. We're in the process of opening it up much more for community use and Bridge Jam is part of that, " he says.

The St Paul's pews are removed already for events and services such as the monthly "café church" service and Fuse event for young people.

"In terms of the sound and atmosphere that can be created in there I felt it would be an ideal venue for talented acoustic performers to show us what they can do, " says Matt.

"It's also a fantastic opportunity for us to raise money for the Guardian Angels appeal, which is a great, worthy cause."

Thursday's Bridge Jam also features Manchester musician Andrew Gordon, aka The Vincent Moss Experience, and Mike Sawyer and Rich Tull, two members of Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute act Aynt Skynyrd, who will perform Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash covers.

Tickets cost £3 01904 658820 or by email to matt.woodcock@stpaulsyork.org.uk