AN OTLEY social club is preparing to resound to the sounds of live opera.

Quiz nights, snooker competitions and tribute bands tend to make up the usual entertainment at the Falcon Sports and Social Club, on Westgate.

That will all change on Thursday, February 16 though when classically trained opera singers Bryony Burnham and David Woods turn up to perform pieces by the likes of Mozart, Schubert, Handel and Bizet.

An Evening at the Opera, which will also feature a prize raffle, has been arranged by Otley group Chevin Socialites to raise money for its Hug on a Tray scheme.

The initiative involves giving patients on the Haematology wards at St James's Hospital a gift of free mugs, hot drinks and biscuits as a simple gesture of support.

Chevin Socialites' organiser Lesley Noble said: "Bryony and David and they had mentioned they would be willing to do something for Hug on a Tray, so I asked them about putting on something at the Falcon and they came up with this!

"They have been so generous and organised a full evening of music, featuring pieces from the likes of Sweeney Todd and West Side Story as well as the classics.

"We're hoping it will raise a good amount and at the same time help raise the profile of the Falcon Club, which is a great little venue.

"I'm pretty sure this will be the first opera night they've had."

Bryony is a professional freelance singer and has starred in a number of operas, while David has sung in many concerts and oratorios and also aims to become a professional.

The pair both graduated from the University of Birmingham with a first in vocal performance

Their Otley performance - accompanied by pianist Sarah Paynes - will include songs from Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro, The Pirates of Penzance, Messiah and The Mikado.

The Hug on a Tray scheme, meanwhile, has received a major financial boost thanks to three runners who took on the Chevin Chase on Boxing Day.

Sponsorship collected by Jo Marshall, Rob Glover and Jonathon Dickson, combined with support from local businesses, has brought in £1,350.

Lesley paid special tribute to haematology patient Rob for taking on the challenge, and to The Station pub at Guiseley.

She said: "For Rob to have taken this on and completed it is amazing.

"And The Station couldn't do enough for us - they put on free food for all the runners and held a raffle.

"We were also supported by Everybodys and the Bramble Bakehouse - I can't thank them all enough."

Tickets for A Night at the Opera cost £5, which includes snacks, and can be booked by calling 07931 892747.

The next Hug on a Tray fundraiser will be at the Otley Core, on Orchard Gate, from 10am to 2pm on Friday, January 20 when the Chevin Socialites will be serving tea and coffee.