A MEMBER of top Helmsley band One Night Only will be judging up and coming talent at a fundraising night next week.

Dan Parkin, the band’s bass player, will join a panel of judges at the Malton and Norton’s Got Talent event in aid of Louby’s Lifeline.

The 12 acts, from Malton School and Norton College, will go head-to-head to raise money for the charity, set up by teenager Laura Tierney-Robertson and her mum Emma.

Dan said he would be travelling from London where the band are recording their third album with plans for a new single and forthcoming tour.

He said: “This is a great cause to support and I am more than happy to get involved.

“I am really looking forward to seeing some of the young talent as local support was so important to us during the early days.

“We were given the opportunity to play live round the area which is what it is all about and helped us get noticed.”

The talent night has been organised by mayor of Norton, Coun Di Keal, and is part of her charity of the year drive to raise money for Louby’s Lifeline, a charity fund of Brain Tumour Research and Support across Yorkshire working to make a difference for brain tumour patients and their families in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

She said: “I am absolutely thrilled that Dan has agreed to be one of our judges at Malton and Norton’s Got Talent.

“As a young person who fine- tuned his musical talents on the local stage he will understand the nerves and excitement that the night will bring – and will be the perfect person to judge the considerable talents of all the acts taking part.

She said she had decided this year instead of holding a council civic dinner she would do something to raise money for the local charity she had been supporting since Laura, known as Louby to her friends and family, sadly died in February 2012.

She added: “With One Night Only’s new single due to be recorded very soon it is great that Dan has taken time out to support Louby’s Lifeline with us – and I would urge people to get there tickets soon for what promises to be a great night out.”

The evening, at Malton’s Milton Rooms on Friday at 7pm, will be hosted by Malton’s own comedian Ryan Swain and will also feature guest spots from local singers Declan Gough and Liam White, plus a grand raffle Tickets are available from the tourist information centre in Malton library and from both schools.