Bradford's freshest collection of stars shone brightly at a glittering charity night in the city last night

A packed house at Pennington's Live nightclub was treated to some real home-grown talent including Pop Idol Gareth Gates's younger sister Nicola, pictured, and Pop Idol buddy Danny Tetley.

The event was organised to raise cash for six-year-old cancer sufferer Robyn Brooks whose plight was highlighted on one of Gareth's internet fan sites.

The Rochdale youngster suffers from a rare form of cancer known as neuroblastoma and her family are trying to raise £360,000 to send her to Houston in Texas for life-saving treatment.

Nicola, 16, said: "She is such a lovely little girl. Gareth went to see her and wants to do all he can for her.

"He couldn't get here tonight so his friends and family have got together to do our bit as well."

She said: "I love performing and if we can help Robyn in some way, that is just brilliant."

Nicola, who also featured in Pop Idol, aims to follow in her brother's footsteps and plans to perform with him in the future.

And with her younger sisters Charlotte, 10, and Jessica, eight, talented singers as well, they could make for a real family act.

"We try to see each other whenever we can and we make sure I speak to each other every day," said Nicola.

"He is very happy and is loving every single minute of the whole thing."

Danny Tetley, another Pop Idol contestant is another Bradfordian pressing for his place in the limelight.

He has already had a regular spot on Channel 4's the Big Breakfast, and more television appearances are on the horizon.

He said: "I have just signed up to a management company so it is an exciting time for me.

"To be a television presenter is my real goal, although I still love the singing.

"I have got a duet with Rick Waller on his album which is great."

And his new-found fame has opened other doors as well.

"Since the Pop Idol thing I have been able to get into all the London celebrity bars. You don't forget a face like mine."

He added: "It is now a case of keeping it on the television - I am not going to disappear."

Angie Baker, one of the organisers of the event, said she was delighted with the response from the Bradford people.

"It was fantastic," she said. "The turn-out was just unbelievable; there must have been a thousand people there and we raise more than £5,000, without including all the change we collected through the night. It was just brilliant, and the entertainment didn't stop all night."

Although a planned video message from Gareth failed to go ahead as planned due to technical problems, the pop idol star did manage to relay a message of thanks to the crowds via his mum Wendy's mobile phone.

Angie said: "Although we didn't have the video, Wendy took a message instead and thanked everybody from Gareth and wished them all well. He was so chuffed that they all turned out and he promised the crowds that he would be home soon.

"We then played his single, and it got everybody on the dance floor. The whole place was just buzzing all night."Anyone who wants to contribute to Robyn's fund should call (01706) 643965 or visit her website on www.robynbrooks.co.uk