Singing sensation Mark Kerins will show he is a man with a big heart as well as a big voice when he appears for a prestigious home concert in Bradford next month.

For he is aiming to make the Lord Mayor's Civic Ball - which raises money for charity - one of the high notes of Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq's mayoral year.

And the 24-year-old winner of television talent show Star for a Night said he was honoured to be asked to perform in front of a home crowd on such an important occasion.

He said: "I can't wait to get on stage. To be asked by the Lord Mayor of Bradford to sing for him is not something that happens every day. It's also great to bring a live concert to my home town where many of my fans are based."

Mark, of Wyke, is famed for his rendition of Bill Wither's classic Lean on Me, which helped him to win the BBC show, beating his nearest rival by a staggering 30,000 votes.

But other powerful ballads from the likes of Meatloaf, Queen, Celine Dion and Nina Simone are likely to feature in the former Leeds-Bradford Airport worker's repertoire.

He said: "I class it as a night out and we will have a good atmosphere going with a few jazzy numbers and a few ballads."

The glittering event, at the Hilton Hotel in Hall Ings on Saturday, April 20, is in aid of the Lord Mayor's appeal, which is supporting the Prince's Trust and Bradford Macmillan Appeal.

Following disappointment when the Christmas Party had to be cancelled, Coun Khaliq is hoping for a big crowd.

He said: "I hope lots of people will come and enjoy the evening and raise money for a good cause."

To book tickets, which cost £30 each, phone (01274) 754965 before April 10.