UNWRAPPING colourful presents, trees wrapped in tinsel and tucking into giant turkey dinners surrounded by our families is all most of us want for Christmas.

But while we dream of finding new shoes and fancy gadgets in our stockings one famous Chester playwright is determined to use his festive spirit to help keep the hundreds of people sleeping in the snow alive during the coming harsh winter months.

This December, writer of hit play Calendar Girls, Tim Firth, is putting down his pen and turning his talents to creating a packed musical feast filled with the spirit of Christmas in his home town of Alvanley.

And to get everyone in the real festive spirit, Tim, who is currently on-set for the filming of Chester-based comedy The Wedding Video, will be opening the doors to the musical night – all for the cost of a few tins of baked beans.

On Wednesday, December 21 the acclaimed playwright and his friends and family are asking children, parents and grandparents to raid their cupboards and dig out tins of spaghetti, beans, fruit and vegetables to help keep homeless people sleeping rough in our city centre alive this Christmas.

For the second year running the concert, Food for Thought will see hundreds of residents pack into the village hall to listen to talented local musicians while donating parcels of food to be handed-out to homeless people at Chester Aid to the Homeless (CATH).

Last year’s concert was a raging success with hundreds of residents enjoying carols and donating mountains of food to CATH, which provides help and support for people sleeping rough in the city centre.

Viv Valente, deputy CEO for CATH, who watched last year’s concert, said that the level of talent was ‘astonishing’, saying: “It was one of those nights that you never forget, thinking about it always makes me smile, so thoroughly enjoyable.

“It was also humbling that these good people came out on a shockingly cold winter night to entertain on behalf of CATH, it confirms one’s faith in human nature.”

Food for Thought will be held on Wednesday, December 21 at 6.30pm in Alvanley Village Hall, Alvanley, Frodsham. If you wish to support the concert in any way contact Mike Metcalf on 07771 834650 or e-mail mike@swirefordroad.fsnet.co.uk.