TWO local musical organisations are to join forces for a special concert of remembrance in Helensburgh next weekend.

The HMS Neptune Volunteer Band and the West of Scotland Military Wives Choir will team up to remember those who have given their lives in the service of their country.

They last performed together in Helensburgh at the Victoria Halls in June for a concert marking 73 years since D-Day – a concert which was so successful that teaming up for a second time was an easy decision to make.

Both musical groups will have a remembrance theme to their programmes: the choir will be performing a range of songs from wartime Vera Lynn classics to songs that have been in the charts recently, while the band will play a mixture of reflective pieces, some traditional marches and the sounds of the big band.

The concert is being held in aid of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), and both the choir and the band are keen to raise as much money as possible.

Sgt AJ Hardy, the volunteer band's instructor, said: “One of the other volunteer bands has held a Remembrance concert for the last few years and this is something I wanted to try and replicate within the service community of the Helensburgh area.

“We have just performed together at St Columba’s Parish Church in Largs and are now into our final rehearsals before the concert and are thoroughly looking forward to performing to our local community.”

The West of Scotland Military Wives Choir has approximately 40 members from as far afield as Glasgow, of all ages and backgrounds.

The HMS Neptune Volunteer Band has around 20 regular members from as far afield as Inverness and Plymouth, though being primarily based at HMNB Clyde, they are excited to perform in Helensburgh again.

The RNRMC is the principal charity of the Royal Navy, which exists to support sailors, marines and their families, for life.

The charity remains focussed on their needs and since 2007 has funded projects and facilities to boost morale for those serving today.

The charity also distributes money annually to military charities which care for the children, families and veterans of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

The event, A Concert of Remembrance, will be held at the Tower Digital Arts Centre on Saturday, November 11 at 2.30pm.