A TEN-year-old Bolton girl will take centre stage at a concert to raise money for Christie cancer hospital.

Pint-sized Charlene Godding may lack a few inches in height but she more than makes up for it in the talent stakes.

She will stride on stage in front of hundreds of people at the Griffin Hotel in Bolton town centre on April 2 and belt out a few numbers . . . as long as she's home and in bed by 8pm so she is fresh for primary school the next day.

Charlene has already made her mind up that she's going to be a singer. And on her current form few would bet against it happening.

Mum Marie can hardly believe it's her daughter.

She said: "She is very good and a lot of people have told me they are amazed at how professional she is.

"But she has been singing since she was five years old so she has had plenty of practice."

Charlene, a pupil at Castle Hill CP School in Tonge Moor, is taking to the stage as part of The Ricky Wayne Show.

Entertainer Ricky, of Halliwell Road, is suffering from incurable lung cancer and is taking his show to as many venues and clubs throughout the North West as he can in a bid to raise £25,000 for Christie's, where he is being treated.

The show at the Griffin will bring the total raised so far to more than £5,000.

But for once it won't be Ricky who gets all the attention.

Charlene, with her mum cheering in the audience, will belt out various hits including some by her favourite artist, Celine Dion.

Mum Marie, of Thicketford Road, added: "She's really looking forward to it. Even though there will be loads of people there she's not nervous.

"She's been doing karaoke at different places for a while so she's used to performing in front of an audience. I'm very proud of her."

The show starts at 2pm at the pub on Great Moor Street. Pay on the door £1.

Landlord at the Griffin, Bill Lomax, said: "Everyone has said she's just like Celine Dion and she's fabulous for her age. I'm looking forward to seeing her in action.

"But the main thing is raising money. I know Ricky and he's a great bloke. We want to raise as much cash as possible."

Various businesses based near the pub have also donated cash.

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