A MUSICAL marathon will be taking place in Chillaton this month when a former Hot Chocolate musician takes the stage to raise money for charity.

Steve Cameron, a keyboardist who worked with the famous group for some two-and-a-half years, aims to play the piano at the Chichester Arms for a full ten hours to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Steve, who has recently spent time in Derriford Hospital, said he has seen for himself teenagers suffering from cancer and felt there was a gap in provision for the age group.

?There?s nowhere in the South West that these teenagers who have the disease can be with their peers ? we?d like to see if we can get something at Derriford,? said Steve.

?These kids either go into children?s wards or the cancer wards which very often are full of older people.

?The hospitals in Bristol and Birmingham have wards with videos and CDs, adjacent to where they have chemotherapy. They have their own kitchen ? the survival rate is much better in this type of place,? he said.

Steve, a local at The Chichester Arms, said sponsorship for the piano marathon on October 19 was going well and he hoped lots of people would drop into the pub between 1pm and 11pm on the day, to listen to the music, put in musical requests and raise plenty of funds.

Anyone who would like further information should call the Chichester Arms on 01822 860283.