CHILDREN orphaned by the Aids epidemic in Africa are coming to Bolton as part of the town's efforts to embrace the Commonwealth community during the big Games.

A festival of music and dance will be brought to the town by a native dance troupe.

The Young Zulu Warriors from South Africa will appear at the Victoria Hall Methodist Mission, Knowsley Street, to raise money for the charity, God's Golden Acre, which helps the victims of Aids.

And during their visit to Bolton, the group will stay with church members in the area. The twenty-six strong group, aged between nine and 25, have all been orphaned through Aids. They have performed traditional song and dance at some of South Africa's largest gatherings including the 2001 International Aids Conference in Durban.

The Rev Phil Mason, church leader at the Victoria Hall, said: "It will be great to the see the group perform here in Bolton as part of our Commonwealth Games celebrations."

The troop are also planning to present two concerts while in the UK -- at the Brixton Academy and Mill Hill, London.

For more information and to purchase tickets for the Bolton event on July 23 contact the Victoria Halls on 01204 522569.

Commonwealth Praise, organised by Victoria Hall Methodist Mission and Bolton Council and recorded for the BBC Songs of Praise, will take place on July 7 on Victoria Square.There will be limited seating on the day at £2 a ticket but plenty of standing room in the square. To secure a seat or for block bookings for churches and organisations write to the More Than Gold Office at Victoria Hall, Knowsley Street, Bolton BL1 2AS and ask for the ticket application form.