PARTY band Huge is staging a series of charity events in aid of St Leonard's Hospice - good news for fans who have missed out on tickets for the sell-out gig at York's Grand Opera House.

The York-based nine-piece band, which plays everything from 70s classics to Robbie Williams, describes itself as 'tacky but really good fun' and will play to a packed audience at the Grand Opera House on November 3.

It is the fourth time the band has commanded a sell-out crowd and in response to demand the band has organised a charity performance at the Old White Swan in Goodramgate today starting at 9pm.

Huge has already raised nearly £1,000 this year for the Hospice 2000 appeal and aims to reach the £1,500 mark before the Grand Opera House performance.

Collecting buckets will be on hand at both the Old White Swan gig and one in Parliament Street tomorrow when the band will play between 2pm and 4pm and audiences are asked to give generously.

Huge is sponsored by the Evening Press and the Grand Opera House gig is also sponsored by Monks Cross Shopping Park.

Front man Ian Donaghy, who runs the progress unit at Lowfields School as his day job, said: "My girlfriend's mother used to work at the Hospice and it's a fantastic resource that needs to be kept.

"I think it's important to support local charities."