TWO star-studded charity concerts featuring English pop-rockers Toploader among the headliners will be held next month to fundraise for those worst hit by Somerset’s floods.

The forthcoming fundraisers are set for Friday, March 14, at Bridgwater’s Blake Hall, and Saturday, March 15, at Yeovil’s Westlands venue.

Toploader’s best-known single, ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’, reached #19 in the UK Top 40, and was a global hit.

Other big-name headliners are yet to be confirmed by the concert coordinators, including Bridgwater-based music firm SRL Promo-tions, which owns the Blake Hall and recently brought top boy-band Blue to Bridgwater and Yeovil.

Aside from the reduced fees being paid to the artists involved, every penny raised from the two nights will go to the flood-hit, distributed in tandem with the Flooding on the Levels Action Group (FLAG).

Bridgwater-born Dan Smith, of the Blake Hall, said: “The reason why? For me, it’s because I’m a local person; I know people who live out that way who’ve been affected.

“What I can give back is to do something with my venue and with my connections to bands. The question is more ‘why not?’ My colleagues and I are giving 100% to make this happen.

“Our target projection is to hit between £20,000 and £40,000 profit. If we couldn’t hit £25,000 I’d be really disappointed.”

Dan, Tony Seabourne of Westcoast Stages, and music insider Greg Daniels, have been working around the clock since announcing the concert dates last week.

A video link, where celebrities’ messages of support will be screened at the concerts, is among the hoped-for plans.

Somerset entrepreneur and TV ‘Dragon’ Deborah Meaden plus F1 driver Jenson Button have currently confirmed their support for the idea.

West Country music legends The Wurzels have also announced plans to help victims of the recent floods in Somerset, with a gig at The Palace in Bridgwater on Thursday March 20 – see our What’s On pages for the full details.

For the latest Somerset Flood Charity Concerts news, visit www.bridgwatermer cury.co.uk and check the SRL Promotions and Westlands Yeovil Facebook page. Tickets cost £35, on sale now from www.seetickets.com