ACTOR Charles Dance pulled out of the fund-raising concert for the youth of West Lavington due to filming commitments.

Mr Dance telephoned George Baker, who organised the evening held on Sunday at Dauntsey's School Memorial Hall on Tuesday evening, to tell him he had been offered a film role and was unable to take part in the show called, Songs from the Shows.

Mr Baker, who lives in West Lavington, said: "Charlie was very disappointed that he was unable to take part in the show.

"He rang me to say he had been offered a role out of the blue and he had to start filming in South Africa. He was terribly sorry at not being able to take part.

"Actors are casual labour and even if you are in the position of Charles Dance you have to go where the work is."

Mr Dance was lined up to sing one song, How to Handle a Woman. Mr Baker decided not to replace Mr Dance and consequently the song was not performed.

Mr Baker said the audience was not let down by Mr Dance's absence.

He said: "One lady said she had only come to the show to see Charles Dance but she said she thoroughly enjoyed it, despite Charles not being there."

The show, which was headed up by Peak Practice star Simon Shepherd, has raised more than £5,000.

An audience of nearly 500 enjoyed the show devised and directed by Michael Reed, Andrew Lloyd Webber's worldwide musical director and a former resident of nearby Worton.

Mr Shepherd headed a first-class professional cast which included West End stars Paul Arden-Griffith, Samantha Shaw, Sue Flannery, Peter Land, James Graeme and Emma Kershaw, and there was also local talent on view from Geraldine Aylmer-Kelly, Bridget Green, Dr Barbara Gompels and violinist Petronella Dittmer.

The show was compered by well-known disc jockey Mike Read and Mr Baker, well known as TV's Inspector Wexford.

The concert was raising money for Cradle to College, a partnership of the village's pre-school playgroup, youth club and the parent-school association of Dauntsey's Aided Primary School.

Mr Baker said: "It was a fantastic success and I have to thank Michael Reed and everyone who worked so hard to make it the success that it was. We sold more tickets than I could have hoped and everyone seemed to enjoy it."

Everyone will have their own favourites from the show, but the highlights included Geraldine Aylmer-Kelly and Barbara Gompels singing the Duet from Lakhme by Delibes and Peter Land singing My Heart Belongs to You from The Dancing Years.

Sue Flannery showed a natural comic flair with her rendition of Hangover Aria.

The concert ended with a medley of Abba songs from the West End musical Mamma Mia and the company singing Love Changes Everything from Aspects of Love.

Later that evening, a dinner at West Lavington Manor saw 100 diners enjoy a banquet catered by Ted Robinson and Roger Astle.

Mr Baker said: "We haven't worked out exactly how much we have made, but it must be over £5,500."