Twin town sings for Sierra Leone

Hastings cash has helped fund Kankaylay school's new building

More than 1,000 people have taken part in a singathon in an East Sussex park to raise money to help rebuild a town damaged in Sierra Leone's civil war.

More than 12 choirs from Hastings, which is twinned with its namesake town in the African country, are joining the singing event in Alexandra Park.

The fundraiser is part of the two-day Hastings Beer and Music Festival.

Seven schools in Hastings have formed links with schools in Sierra Leone to exchange information about their lives.

One of them, Christ Church CE Primary, has raised enough money to help Kankaylay Islamic School to buy a piece of land to start building new premises.

Saturday's singathon has been coordinated by local musician Roger Wilcock.

It was the brainchild of MP for Hastings and Rye, Michael Foster.

"It's not just children that love to sing," he said.

"Singing lifts our spirits and to be able to raise money for such a good cause adds to the excitement."