It started off as an idea three friends came up with to celebrate their 30th birthdays.

None of them could have predicted that it would end with them sharing a stage with Motown queen Martha Reeves and raising £6,000 for local charities.

The success of a Motown-inspired concert organised by Yorkshire singing trio Kate Hardcastle, Hannah Cygan-Wrobleski and Lisa Roberts has led to plans for another event this year.

Last September's concert, held at Halifax's Victoria Theatre, marked a reunion for the girls who hadn't performed together since appearing as the Fabulous BB Kings 15 years ago.

"We started performing during wet break-times at school when our teacher would play us lots of blues, soul and Motown. We all got into it - it's timeless and forms the roots of so much modern music," says Kate.

"We became a popular function band, hailed as Yorkshire's answer to the Commitments. We appeared on TV, sang to 20,000-plus crowds at rugby matches and toured the country performing soul and Motown covers.

"Eventually we went our separate ways. But, while we may be older and wiser now, we still love artists like Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight."

The friends stayed in touch and decided to celebrate their 30th birthdays with a reunion concert in aid of charities close to their hearts. The show, called the Charity Soul and Motown Revue, won the support of stars on both sides of the Atlantic, including Martha Reeves and soul legend Smokey Robinson.

The girls performed as the Yorkshire Dreamgirls with ten-piece band the Soul and Motown Allstars, consisting of musicians who have worked with stars such as Corrine Bailey Rae.

"The support we received that night was fantastic," says Kate. "Many people said it was great to attend a fundraising concert that didn't have a £100-plus price ticket. Each charity had part of the show dedicated to them, with a section explaining what they do and how people can help.

"We had video messages of support sent in from celebrities such as Gareth Gates and Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen, and celebrities attending on the night included actor Scott Wright, The Apprentice runner-up Ruth Badger and the Queen of Motown, Martha Reeves herself.

"We couldn't have hoped for a better tribute to our three charities than the one and only Miss Martha Reeves joining us on our special night. It was an honour and a privilege to grace the same stage and give her a huge Yorkshire welcome.

"The whole night was a bit like a swan; it all glided along at the front of the house but we were pedalling like crazy backstage! It ended with all three of us fulfilling a lifetime ambition of becoming a Motown backing group, replacing the Vandellas and singing back-up for Martha Reeves for hits like Jimmy Mack and Dancing In The Streets."

More than £6,000 was raised for the Stroke Association, Halifax Stroke Club, Breast Cancer Care and the Next Step Trust, helping children with special needs.

"It was an amazing night. What started off as a simple idea really captured people's imaginations. Everyone kept saying we should hold it as an annual event," says Kate.

Now, she has revealed, there are plans for a follow-up concert later this year, in aid of a charitable fund she is launching. "We have formed a special committee to create the next event, which we hope will be bigger and better." says Kate.

  • The next Yorkshire Dreamgirls concert is at the Victoria Theatre, Halifax, on Saturday, October 4. For more information visit www. dreamgirlsyorkshire.com