Friends and family of a popular singer and actor who died tragically young have raised three and half thousand pounds for the hospice that cared for him.

Marcello Divirgilio grew up in Old Windsor and the village's Memorial Hall in Straight Road was the perfect venue for a fund raising tribute night - as he had appeared there in shows that included Grease and Bugsy Malone.

Mr Divirgilio died two years ago at the age of 46 after a long battle with cancer.

He was a leading light in Old Windsor's Riverside drama group as well as Colnbrook based Colnbrook Amateur Stage Theatre (CAST) group.

He was also lead singer with the 13 strong band Soul Rites which performed at the tribute night.

His sister Tina Evans said Soul Rites and his family wanted to do a tribute night for Mr Divirgilio that would raise money for the Thames Hospice in Hatch Lane, Windsor - something he had hoped to do himself before he became too ill.

She said: "Thames Hospice were amazing with Marcello. He had counselling, therapy and medical care at the time as well as home support. Since Marcello died they have also been invaluable to the family with extra support for grief counselling."

About 140 friends and family attended the tribute night which had taken 13 months to organise.

But there was an unexpected shock when Alan Purcell, the percussionist in the band Soul Rites collapsed with a heart attack during a set. Paramedics were called and he was rushed to Wexham Park Hospital, Slough where he underwent surgery to have a stent fitted.

Ms Evans said: "I am very pleased to say, he has made a fabulous recovery and is feeling ‘better than ever’.

"The band in true showbiz style, insisted on going on for the second set. They were adamant that is what Alan would want and they didn’t want to let Marcello down."

Mr Virgilio's brother Giancarlo, sister Tina Evans, his niece Maria Jubb and mother Tuula Devirgilio have now visited Thames Hospice to hand over the cheque for £3,460.