A HAGLEY heavy metal fan is organising a fundraising gig in Hagley in aid of a children's cancer charity which has helped his little boy.

Dave Crowley is organising the Horns for Heroes event which will take place at Hagley Community Centre on Saturday April 27 as a way of saying thank you to charity which has helped him and his wife Claire since their son James was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Metal bands from near and far will be taking to the stage and people from across the country are expected to turn out for the gig which will raise funds for Children with Cancer UK.

Dave, aged 46, said he decided to organise the concert as a way of doing something positive and productive after seeing his 11-year-old son go through more medical procedures in four-and-a-half years than most people would endure in a lifetime.

James, who has Down's Syndrome, was diagnosed with leukaemia in November 2014 and was finally given the all-clear in June 2017 but heartbreakingly he suffered a relapse last October and faces another two years of chemotherapy treatment.

Dave said: "It's hard being a parent of a child who is suffering but it's hard for blokes as blokes are practical and we get something and we fix it."

The concert has become something to focus on for the couple, who also have a six-year-old daughter Annabelle, and they are hoping James, who attends Chadsgrove School in Bromsgrove, may be well enough to attend the child-friendly gig.

Dave said: "I've been a fan of heavy metal since my early teens and I reached out to a couple of bands and asked if they would play and help us raise a few quid and they were all in straight away."

Bands set to perform include Quiet The Thief, Molly Karloff, Kidderminster outfit Crows & Crosses - and Sergeant Thunder Hoof from Wiltshire are the headline act. There will also be an auction/raffle featuring prizes donated by various festivals, bands and audio suppliers.

Dave added: "We're hoping there's going to be around 100 people there and it's £10 a ticket so if we can raise £1,000 and £500 from the auction everyone will be happy."

Tickets are available online from www.wegottickets.com (search Horns4Heroes). Doors open at 5pm and the gig starts at 6pm.

Limited tickets will be available on the door on the night.

Hot food and drinks will be available.