SWINDON will stage one of three huge concerts as part of this year's BBC Children In Need appeal.

Despite facing massive financial problems, Swindon Council's cabinet last night decided to donate £10,000 from its reserves towards the cost of the event.

Deputy leader of the council, Kevin Small, claimed it would be a great opportunity to put Swindon on the map.

The proposed concert's location will not be revealed until a few weeks before it is held in November, but it will be on the premises of a leading retailer in the town.

It is expected that up to 12,000 people could attend the event, which will feature some of the country's top music acts.

The famous appeal raises millions every year for charitable projects all over the world.

It is thought that with Swindon acting as a focus for the appeal, local involvement in the fundraising could be substantial.

Coun Small (Lab, Western) said: "This will be good news for Swindon, which makes a change for a town that has taken a lot of knocks over the last six months.

"The BBC needs some support from the council to make it a success and I think we should go for it."

The £10,000 council contribution will pay for security arrangements, traffic signs, temporary toilets and waste collection, although the council is confident it will obtain corporate sponsorship for some of the costs.

The retailer involved has committed to pay for most of the other expenses.

Last year, the Children In Need appeal, which uses Pudsey Bear as its mascot, took place on November 16, and raised £25 million. It included concerts in Leicester, Portsmouth, Doncaster and Northern Ireland.

The BBC is understood to be keen to hold the concert for its southern region in Swindon because of the town's central location.

Last year's Portsmouth concert featured the bands Steps, Hear'Say and N-Trance.