FRIENDS of a Swindon singer described as having the voice of an angel are to hold a charity concert in his memory.

Father-of-two Gary Beint, of Haydon Wick, died aged 42 in September following a heart attack. He was waiting for kidney treatment at Churchill's Hospital in Oxford.

Now his friends from Kentwood Choir of which Gary was a member have joined forces with the Wyvern Theatre to stage their own musical tribute.

David Wicks, the theatre's stage manager, is coordinating the concert.

He said: "We got together and decided to celebrate Gary's music.

"This is not going to be a mournful memorial concert it's going to be our special thank you to a friend who did so much for the music world."

Gary suffered from diabetes and it was decided the proceeds of the concert will go to Diabetes UK a charity providing support to sufferers and their families.

Details of the night's performances are still being finalised.

Mr Wicks said: "I knew Gary for 14 years and we became good friends. He could really grab an audience."

Gary's love of music started at an early age.

Aged just 13, he formed a group called Purple Rock with his older brother Paul.

In the late 1980s he went on to form another group called Touch of Class with his pal Mark Burton, an accomplished keyboard player.

Mr Burton, 46, who now lives in Hastings, will be performing on the night along with the Kentwood Choir.

He said: "He was one of my best friends and I really miss him. We had some wonderful times together."

Kentwood Choir leader Sheila Harrod said: "At his peak, his singing matched anything you could hear in the West End.

"He had the voice of an angel and we all miss him terribly. He was exquisite."

Tickets are now on sale for £9 for the concert at the Wyvern Theatre on Sunday, February 22 at 7.30pm. For information call 01793 524481.

Kevin Shoesmith