A MUSICAL treat is in store for all those who buy a special Christmas card being sold by Torpoint Eddystone Rotary in aid of the Children's Hospice South West.

Each card contains a CD featuring 12 of the best young soloists from the local area, most of them former contestants in the annual Young Singer of the Year contest for schools, organised by Rotarian John O'Driscoll.

However, this year the contest has been replaced by the CD, an idea of comedian Tank Sherman, who has helped the club to produce it.

Also helping have been professional singer Ruby Washington who has performed worldwide, singing teacher Mrs Brad Gunther from Pelynt, A2Z Sign and Print of Liskeard, and Jay Auborn from Deep Blue Sound Studio in Plymouth, who produced the recording free of charge.

The sponsors are The Oddfellows, Kernow Mill, Wills Accountants and Torpoint Eddystone Rotary itself.

The first release of 1,700 CDs is selling so well that another 500 have already been produced.

There was an official launch of the CD at Kernow Mill on Friday evening, when the audience were treated to a live performance by some the stars of the CD, plus a violin solo from 13-year-old Oliver Bredemeyer from Saltash, who is also the musical director and accompanist.

Local singers featured on the CD are Anna Clarke, Amy Butler and Charlotte Jones all from Looe, Claudia Bredemeyer from Saltash, Janine Wright from Torpoint, and Grace Thomson from Polperro. The other five singers are from the Plymouth area.

The 16 pieces, all beautifully sung, include Christmas carols and songs, plus some classical favourites, including Schubert's Ave Maria.

A card and CD costs £5.50 or £17.95 for a pack of five, and they are available from Keirl Opticians in Liskeard, The Rusty Bucket, Looe, Jennifer's Delicatessen, Saltash, Kernow Mill Farmers' Market, Trerulefoot, and Kingsley Village, Fraddon.

From next week they can also be purchased from The Cornish Times reception desk.

They are also available at all of the Children's Hospice South West charity shops, or by contacting Rotarian John O'Driscoll on 01503 250498.

These special cards are light and can be posted using normal first and second-class rates.