Music legend Acker Bilk and his Paramount band will be joined by some of the all-time greats in the jazz world at a special charity ball in Bristol.

Kenny Ball, Johnny Dankworth and Dame Cleo Lane are on the glittering guest list at the ball in aid of the Variety Club Children's Charity South West at the Thistle Hotel in Broad Street.

Acker, who lives in Pensford, has signed two clarinets which have been donated by Yamaha, which will be auctioned on the night.

As well as writing the multi-million selling, chart-topping hit Stranger on the Shore, Acker is also a talented artist and one of his landscape paintings will also be auctioned.

He said: "I've never done anything like this before but I agreed to get involved in the event because it's for children.

"I'm looking forward to the evening and it should be a lot of fun."

Anne Keen-Arnold, head of appeals for the Variety Club in the West, said the evening on April 21, starting at 7pm, promises to be a fabulous occasion, as well as musically entertaining.

She said: "Kenny Ball will be there, Johnny Dankworth and Dame Cleo Lane are hoping to be there, but Cleo is currently recovering from a broken leg so we are all keeping our fingers crossed.

"Acker is usually a very private person so it is especially exciting that he has agreed to support our charity and he will be joined by members of the Paramount line-up and some of the original members."

Some seats are still available and a table for 10 is £450, or £50 a head, from the booking office at 01454 612276.

Anne said: "I would also like to hear from anyone who has memories of Acker, or how he has affected their lives."

Call 0117 967 5281.

The Variety Club Children's Charity provides Sunshine Coaches, electric wheelchairs and outings equipment to children's hospitals.