PINSTRIPE-suited York businessman Steve Heath is going back in time to the wild-haired rocker days of his youth.

The director of Wallis Business Services, at Clifton Moor, will turn back the clock by competing in The Deep End, a charity concert by talented corporate characters in York and North Yorkshire at the Grand Opera House, York, on Tuesday, February 7.

Musical wannabees have come out of the offices, shop floors and boardrooms of the region in their dozens to take part in the event which allows them only one rehearsal with professional musicians and musical director before they dive in to compete for a £3,000 prize for the charity of their choice.

Steve, 48, is known as the amiable man from Wallis Business Services who with calculators, computer consumables, furniture and shredders keeps offices clickin' and a-tickin'

But many remember him when he kept the whole of York rockin' and a-boppin in pub and nightclub gigs back in the 1970s.

That is when he was guitarist in the likes of Kingsway North, Chase, Roxette and Curfew, twanging out self-compositions or cover versions by artists like the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake. His chosen number this time: The Rolling Stones' Brown Sugar.

So far 21 rivals have announced themselves - talents from companies including Hunters estate agents, QA Research, Ventura, Langleys Solicitors, McArthurGlen, Minster Engineers, JMPackaging and Steven Bradshaw Photography.

Each business paid £500 for the privilege of exposing themselves to possibly bombing out on the night.

The Deep End concert is the brainchild of teacher "Big Ian" Donaghy, of York band HUGE, who recognised that in business life many know how to behave when thrown in at the deep end.

But, he asked, how would they fare if the musical talents they profess are tested before an audience of 1,000, with little time to rehearse?

For their £500 entrance fee each received 30 reserved seats for the show for workforce, clients or family to cheer them on.

Ian, who will front the sell-out concert, said: "Entries are now closed and there are a lot of firms out there who are kicking themselves that they failed to get in early, because it has created a huge buzz in the region's business community which won't have seen or heard of anything like this before.

"All programme takings on the night, as well as an auction to win a duet with me to finish the show - New York, New York - will go to the Evening Press Guardian Angels Appeal."

Updated: 11:43 Monday, January 23, 2006