NEXT time you pop into the butchers for your steak and sausages, why not pick up a ticket for a charity concert?

Following the closure of the Albert Halls and its box office for refurbishment, Tom Fraser came up with the novel idea for butchers to stock tickets.

The Albert Halls closed last month for up to a year while a £6.5 million revamp is carried out, impacting on ticket sales for the St George's Day Concert at the Victoria Hall on Saturday, April 25.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Bolton-le-Moors, the venue's box office would usually sell about 300 tickets for the annual concert.

Now they are being stocked at butchers across Bolton and the surrounding areas and organisers hope it will give their businesses a boost, as well as ticket sales.

Former butcher Mr Fraser, of Parkwood Drive, Over Hulton, who retired 20 years ago, said about 16 shops have agreed to stock the tickets.

He said: "It's been very positive."

Mr Fraser is a member of Bolton & District Butchers Guardian & Benevolent Association and has been involved with the rotary club for more than 30 years.

Speaking of the closure of the box office at the Albert Halls, which also sold tickets for many of the town's amateur theatre groups, he said: "Hopefully we will go back to the old system but we don't know anything.

"We have raised £50,000 over the last 10 years for Bolton Hospice with this St George's Day Concert."

It will feature music from Smithills School Senior Brass Band, Smithills Community Band and Smithills Community Choir.

David Hamer, owner of Hamer's Butchers, Chorley Old Road, said he is happy to support the Rotary Club by stocking and selling the tickets.

He said: "Between us and the local rotary club, we help each other out."

It is also hoped it might encourage people to shop at their local butchers rather than supermarkets.

Mr Hamer, whose shop has been running for 51 years, added: "When the supermarkets first opened, we really felt it.

"It's coming better now.

"I think people like the independent butchers better for quality and personal service.

"And people are realising, we're actually cheaper than the supermarkets."

The other butchers selling tickets include Carr's, Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge, Fraser's, Rishton Lane, Great Lever, Whitehead's, Blackburn Road, Edgworth, and Beazley's, Chorley Road, Westhoughton.

They cost £8 for adults and £4 for children and are also available from Smithills School, Bolton Hospice shop in Knowsley Street and Booth's Music, Churchgate.